Health Trust Wheelchair Freeze A Disgrace - Sarah Teather

3.42.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 1st Nov 2007

Sarah Teather MP talking to a patient

Brent's Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has condemned Brent Primary Care Trust's decision to "freeze indefinitely" all funding for wheel chair equipment.

The Wheelchair Services Department in the Willesden Centre for Health and Care have stated that they will not be paying for any further specialist equipment, and will not make any further assessments for those who need help to get around. The decision has already had an impact on young children who have grown out of 'toddler sized' buggies and need to progress to a larger chair.

Brent's Primary Care Trust (tPCT) has a deficit of £24million, despite already scaling back services this year. The Government is now forcing Brent tPCT to embark on further cuts which will hit vital services across the borough.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"This latest cut to Brent's health services is one of the most shocking yet. Why on earth should mothers in Brent have to fight to get basic equipment for children with special needs?

"The Government should be utterly ashamed of the devastating impact their cuts are having on vulnerable people in Brent. Specialist wheelchair equipment can be costly, and it is completely unacceptable that those who cannot afford to pay could find themselves confined at home.

"I will continue to fight this disgraceful decision on behalf of my constituents. Brent's wheelchair users must be given the equipment they need."