Northumbria Wheelchair Centre services
We are based in Seaton Delaval and support residents of Northumberland and North Tyneside, their families, and carers with wheelchair and equipment services to promote independence and improve quality of life.
For short term loans of wheelchairs and equipment please visit British Red Cross website.
Who is it for?
We primarily provide equipment for people with a permanent long-term condition who need a wheelchair as part of their mobility within their own home, and have either significantly reduced or no walking ability.
We have a range of wheelchairs available to us for residents in our area and can support Personal Wheelchair Budgets (PWBs).
What to expect when you come to the Wheelchair Centre Clinic
Once you have been referred, your application will be screened on the basis of need and the type of wheelchair you require.
Standard wheelchairs can often be prescribed directly from the information contained within the referral form. This means you will receive your wheelchair sooner.
We have to do a clinical assessment for all non-standard and powered chairs.
You will be contacted by letter and/or telephone to offer you an appointment for your assessment. During this appointment you will be assessed by one of our wheelchair therapists to determine the type of chair and or accessory that will best meet your clinical needs.
You are welcome to bring a carer or friend with you to your appointment.
Typically you will be referred to us by a healthcare professional e.g. your GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist etc. Once you are registered with us and use our services you can request a re-assessment directly if your needs change.
We provide services to children aged 30 months and above, and adults who are registered with a North Tyneside or Northumberland GP.
Wheelchairs are provided on the basis of clinical need set against a regionally-agreed criteria.
The prospect of being "confined" to a wheelchair can be quite upsetting, particularly after a very active life. However, the care, attention and encouragement I experienced at the Centre was exceptional. My heartfelt thanks go to the Staff who made my visit highly enjoyable, and satisfying.
Information to know before your appointment:
We always try to keep to appointment times. On arrival, please report to the reception desk. If you arrive late for your appointment, it may not be possible for you to be seen, and we may need to rearrange your appointment.
Assessments can take place in a variety of settings, this depends on individual needs, accessibility and the type of assessment/activity required.
Powered and specialist seating clinics are often run in conjunction with external specialist staff e.g. Rehabilitation Engineers. Should this be the case you will be advised of this before your appointment.
If you need to re-arrange or cancel your appointment please let us know at least 48 hours beforehand. This allows us to offer it to someone else.
If you fail to attend your appointment without notifying the service, then this will result in your discharge from the service. You will require a referral from a healthcare professional to re-access the service.
Please inform Wheelchair Service by telephone, or email as soon as possible if you are unable to attend.
Unfortunately, due to increasing demands for appointments, if we do not receive prior notification that you are unable to attend an appointment, then an alternative appointment will not automatically be send out.
Tel: 0191 2828958
Email: wheelchairservices.NLD@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk
- Please bring any moving and handling slings that you use as you will be expected to get in/out of the mobility equipment.
- You may wish to consider bringing someone who knows you well and is able to share any relevant information, which may be useful to the appointment. You can bring more than one person with you.
- Do you have any limitations and/or restrictions in your home environment / vehicle? If so, please bring any photographs that are relevant to your needs.
- If you are new to Wheelchair Services, please bring any mobility aids that you are using e.g. walking frame or sticks.
- If you already have mobility equipment, please bring this e.g. wheelchair and seating that you have been issued with.
- If required, please bring a change of clothes, feeding equipment or oxygen as some appointments can take a couple of hours.
- If you are Diabetic, please bring with you any food or medication you may require whilst attending the appointment.
After your appointment
Following your assessment, we will either issue a chair from our warehouse, or order one from an approved supplier. Chairs from our warehouse can be new or reconditioned models. All chairs are loaned free of charge for as long as they are needed, but remain the property of the NHS.
When your chair is available we will arrange a handover appointment with you for a Wheelchair Therapist or Technical Instructor to check the chair and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the chair is right for you.
Wherever possible the handover appointment will be arranged to coincide with delivery of your chair.
Please note: for your safety it is essential that you DO NOT use the chair until the handover visit has taken place.
If your chair requires a repair, please contact the regional repair service as detailed below:
Name - Ross Care
Contact Number – 0191 4155151
If you feel your chair is no longer suitable for your needs, please contact Wheelchair Services on 0191 282 8958.
If you, or a person you support no longer needs their wheelchair please call Wheelchair Services to arrange for it to be collected.
If the chair is a powered model please call Ross Care, our approved regional repair service, and they will arrange collection.
More information
Whizzkidz - Whizz Kidz | Children's Wheelchair Charity | Whizz Kidz
Smile Through Sport - Smile Through Sport – North East based disability sport development charity
Sunshine Fund - The Sunshine Fund | North East Children's Charity
Newlife Charity - Newlife the Charity - Changing the lives of disabled children
Joint Equipment Loans Service - Living independently at home | Northumberland County Council
Patient information leaflet - Northumbria_wheelchair_centre.pdf
If at any time, you have concerns or queries please speak to the Wheelchair Therapist or member of staff involved in your care.
If you feel that your concerns have still not been addressed please ask to speak to the Clinical Lead.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service/ Positive feedback
Your views are very important to us as they help us to improve the service we provide. We welcome any kind of feedback, whether positive or negative as this helps us identify where things are working well and, where there may be room for improvement.
If possible, tell a member of staff as soon as you are aware of the problem. Often, they can resolve your problem straight away or provide information, clarification and advice to help you decide what to do. If you wish to provide us with feedback, you can complete one of our feedback forms which are available on reception.
The PALS team can also help and support you. The staff will be happy to listen to your concerns and provide you with confidential advice and support. Please note that responses to concerns will be provided verbally. You can contact the PALS team in the following ways:
Telephone Freephone: 0800 0320202
Email: pals@nhct.nhs.uk
Please use this new referral form.
Thank you for all of your help and care at my assessment on New Years Eve. I'm counting down the days until I get my chair and can get out. Thank you again!
How to contact us
Northumbria Wheelchair Centre
Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing and Innovation Hub
Avenue Road
Seaton Delaval
Whitley Bay
NE25 0QJ
Telephone: 0191 282 8958 (Phonelines are open 8.30am - 3.30pm but are closed on the second Wednesday of each month for staff training)
Email: WheelchairServices.NLD@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.