WHEELCHAIR WAITS UNACCEPTABLE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 3rd Oct 2007

New figures released by the Liberal Democrats, reveal lengthy waiting times for wheelchairs in Hampshire and Southampton,

Waiting list lengths vary substantially between PCTs. While a third manage a total wait of twenty weeks or less there are large numbers of PCTs that operate far longer waits.

In Hampshire there is a twelve week waiting list for assessment followed by another twelve week wait from assessment until treatment making the total wait half a year.

In Southampton the story is even worse with people having to wait twenty weeks to receive an assessment with a further eight weeks after that till they actually get the wheelchair meaning a wait of seven months

Commenting on the figures local MP Sandra Gidley said:

"It is shocking that disabled people's rights to independence are being denied.

"It's simply not good enough that many people are being forced to wait up to six months in Hampshire and seven months in Southampton to receive vital equipment.

"It's vital that commissioners of wheelchair services in Hampshire and Southampton recognise the real hardship being endured by local people as a result of such long waits.