Wheelchair statistics (FOI)

Request

A

In what circumstances are wheelchairs loaned to islanders? ie., when they have broken their leg - or have a disability - or over time less mobility. Could you explain this please?

B

What is the process and cost to individuals for loaning these wheelchairs?

C

How much have the States spent on wheelchairs in the last 10 years?

D

How many wheelchairs are currently available?

E

How many have been loaned out over the past 5 years (up until the most recent month of 2022)?

F

Who is responsible for this? Is this Occupational Health?

G

How many people are currently waiting for an assessment for a wheelchair?

H

What is the average waiting time between an assessment and a wheelchair being loaned?

I

What is the goal for waiting times between assessment and a wheelchair being loaned?

J

How many people are also waiting for these wheelchairs to have modifications to suit them?

K

Are there plans to invest in more wheelchairs for islanders in the future considering the ageing population?

Response

A

Wheelchairs are provided by the Wheelchair Service for those with long-term conditions on a loan basis. This process is in alignment with UK standards.

B

For units provided by the Government of Jersey, the provision is based on eligibility and assessment of need. If eligible, the service is free.

C

The table below shows the full annual expenditure for the Wheelchair Service from 2012 to 2021, excluding staff budget. It is not possible to distinguish spend on wheelchairs from the purchase of other equipment or therapy supplies without scrutinising all invoices. Doing so would exceed the timescales prescribed in the Freedom of Information (Costs) (Jersey) Regulations 2014. Therefore, Article 16 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

D

The service currently maintains a stock of approximately 60 units, consisting of assessment chairs and loan units, with agreement to draw upon more units when required. Previous service delivery was based on holding large numbers of chairs in stock, which resulted in under-utilisation of assets, increased storage requirements and decommissioning of obsolete equipment. The service model has changed to improve resource management and mitigate against waste.  

E

Last month 60 wheelchairs were issued as a result of an Occupational Therapy assessment. The service are in the process of modernising their service delivery and digitising records. Full records are unavailable for numbers of wheelchairs loaned across the last 5 years and Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law applies. 

F

The wheelchair service is provided through Occupational Therapy.

G

Wheelchairs are provided, if required, following an Occupational Therapy assessment. There is not an independent pathway specifically for wheelchair provision. As such, the number of people awaiting assessment for a wheelchair is unknown and Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 applies.

H and I

This will depend solely on the needs identified and the complexity of the individual’s situation. Standard wheelchairs can be provided within seven days. More complex units are bespoke and are adapted to meet specific needs, requiring additional time.

J

There are currently 21 people waiting for significant adaptations to their standard chairs.

K

At present there are no plans to seek further investment into the provision of chairs. The focus is on modernisation, rationalisation, effective stock management, moving to a standard stock list and transition to a more cost effective supplier list. The aim of these changes is to deliver an equitable wheelchair service that meets the needs of more Jersey residents.

Articles applied

Article 3 - Meaning of “information held by a public authority”

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if –

(a)     it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or

(b)     it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.

Article 16 - A scheduled public authority may refuse to supply information if cost excessive

(1) A scheduled public authority that has been requested to supply information may refuse to supply the information if it estimates that the cost of doing so would exceed an amount determined in the manner prescribed by Regulations.