Salford wheelchair service

If you find walking very difficult, a wheelchair may help.

• Who can get a wheelchair?
• How long does it take to get a wheelchair?
• How much does a wheelchair cost?
• What happens if my wheelchair breaks?
• Can I buy my own wheelchair?
• What other options are there?
• What we cannot help with

Who can get a wheelchair?

We have strict rules about who we can help and what we can help with.

• You must be a permanent Salford resident or have a Salford GP
• You cannot walk, or walking is very difficult and is not going to get better
• You require a wheelchair for longer than six months
• You are totally dependent on a wheelchair for getting around

Unfortunately, we cannot help with:

• Wheelchairs for social use
• Wheelchairs for temporary conditions (such as broken legs)
• Wheelchairs for occasional use (for example hospital visits)

When you contact us, we will tell you whether we can help you with a chair. If not, there are other options. You can find our full eligibility criteria at the bottom of the page.

How long does it take to get a wheelchair?

If you need a wheelchair or special seating, we will offer you an appointment for an assessment usually within ten weeks. If we have the wheelchair you need in stock, you will be able to take it home with you (or we can deliver it). If we need to order your wheelchair, this can take six to eight weeks.

How much does a wheelchair cost?

The wheelchair is a long-term loan so if you qualify for one, it is free. If you want to buy your own chair, we can give you an agreed amount of money to put towards the cost.

What happens if my wheelchair breaks?

As your wheelchair is a loan, we will fix it if it breaks. Contact us between 8.30am and 4.30pm from Monday to Friday. If you can't wait, then you can contact:

Creedons Healthcare Ltd

Telephone: 0151 531 1333
Monday to Friday: 4.30pm to 9.00pm
Weekends and bank holidays: 9.00am to 9.00pm

What to do if you do not qualify for a wheelchair or you decide to buy your own chair

If you do not quality for a wheelchair from us or you wish to buy your own chair, get independent advice from Disabled Living. Help My Mobilty also offers useful advice when looking at buying your own wheelchair.

Many retailers now sell wheelchairs including mobility shops and national stores. Take your time to shop around and try different models. Make sure that you get a wheelchair you feel comfortable with.

At the bottom of this page, you will find a list of wheelchair suppliers that we use.

What we cannot help with

• Lightweight wheelchairs
• Powered scooters
• Powered wheelchairs for outside use
• Transit chairs for care homes
• Twin buggies

British Red Cross Wheelchair Service

If you need a wheelchair for a short time, the British Red Cross offers a wheelchair and commode loan service. This costs £5 per week (minimum £20 donation). If you need the wheelchair longer then you can arrange this with them.

You can call into the centre and try out what is in stock. Do not forget that factsheets are available to guide you on getting the right wheelchair and equipment.

British Red Cross
Lynton Road
Swinton
Manchester
M27 6HD

Telephone: 0161 794 9022 / 0161 794 2119
Email: information@redcross.org.uk
Opening times: Tuesday and Thursday, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Some town centres and shopping centres operate shopmobility schemes where you can rent a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility aid while shopping.

Who to contact

Name

Adult Social Care Contact Team

Address

Salford Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
M27 5AW
Map to this location

Telephone

0161 909 6517

Email

social.services@salford.gov.uk

Minicom

0161 909 6527

Additional information

Text mobile: 07970 134 894

This page was last updated on 27 January 2012