a personalised assessment and care plan to identify the health and wellbeing outcomes they wish to achieve, which may form part of a wider care plan which covers other areas of funding.
Ross Care’s Alastair points out, however, that PWBs will not necessarily mean a rush of eligible budget holders turning to the private market but will rather fuelling a significant change in the way NHS
“The idea of service users being empowered to explore alternative options available on the private market can only be a good thing and I do see it driving innovation” KEVIN ATKINS
Wheelchair users should also be provided information about the amount of money available to them in their personal wheelchair budgets and options available to use the budget locally outside of NHS commissioned services, alongside information about wheelchair repair and maintenance if a user decides to go this route. A CHANGE IN WHEELCHAIR PROVISION On the surface, the shift in wheelchair provision policy sounds like it could result in more wheelchair users being prompted to consider the private market alongside NHS commissioned wheelchair services, potentially driving demand in the private sector.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS? Budget holders that choose to use their PWB outside the NHS will receive a contribution towards the repair and maintenance of costs, however, it will be the responsibility of the individual to manage repairs and maintenance for the duration of the powerchair ownership. For powerchair dealers, this means having the capability to offer quick and efficient repairs and having access to spares will be vital.
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commissioned wheelchair services work to meet the needs of service users. “In my opinion, the biggest determining factor of the scale of impact on the private market is the degree in which CCGs build links and work in partnership with other departments and organisations in order to pool funding as individual cases require it,” he comments. “This does not necessarily mean that the equipment will always be supplied from outside of the NHS but it will certainly enable a much bigger uptake of a wider variety powerchair options than if it is just down to the individual to source their own funding.” POOLING RESOURCES It is this ability to integrate and pool different sources of funding that is perhaps the biggest change from the former voucher system, with NHS England aiming to ensure PWBs form part of wider care planning. Equally, it is the topic which some in the trade can see potential problems, given the somewhat fragmented nature of the health and social care system. It is an area that Ross Care as a Wheelchair Services provider has been working on with CCGs to refine. “One challenge will be the extent to which funding streams can be pooled now that there is a mechanism for it to take place,” notes Alastair. “I have had the opportunity to meet with CCG steering groups and have
Ross Care’s Alastair Ronaldson highlights the potential environmental and financial risks to the NHS
been impressed by the work taking place to bridge departments, as well as the commitment to assess the success of outcomes.” Working in partnership with Blatchford Clinical Services, who manage Ross Care's clinics, the two organisations are currently involved in a project to achieve personcentred outcome measures, with the initiative being supported by Bangor University's Centre for Health Economic and Medicines Evaluation. “I think all providers of Wheelchair Services would agree that whilst PWBs are now fully in operation, 2020 will also be a year of learning and development,” he adds. Beyond having a fundamental effect on the way Wheelchair Services assess and provide powerchairs to service users, the ability to bring funding together from other areas of the health and social care spectrum is one which powerchair retailers see as an opportunity to engage with budget holders. One such company is Precision Rehab, a distributor and retailer of specialist powerchairs, with Managing Director Matthew James highlighting what prospects he envisages opening