PRJ1285 Barnet Wheelchair Services

Barnet Borough, North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) wish to commission an integrated wheelchair service for people of all ages who have a long-term need (longer than 6 months, or life expectancy of less than 6 months) for mobility assistance and who are registered with a Barnet GP practice.

As of 1st January 2023, there are 50 GP practices in Barnet, with a total registered population of ~440,000. Of which there are approximately 3,300 registered service users of the current Barnet wheelchair service (~3,000 adults and ~300 children)

Barnet Borough envisage that the service will provide a care model for wheelchair users which supports delivery of the Wheelchair Alliance Charter in helping those with complex, long-term conditions access the right chair, right time, right now, and with appropriate information and support.

All service users must be offered a Personal Wheelchair Budget, with the exception of where a service user has rapidly changing and deteriorating conditions.

The service shall be provided in the most appropriate environment in order to best address the disabled person/child’s needs. This should include the full range of community settings, such as home, education, place of employment, in addition to a wheelchair clinic. However, the service will maintain a hub in Barnet.

The service must operate Monday to Friday between 8.00am to 6.00pm, exclusive of Bank Holidays, though flexibility around assessment times is considered where requested. The service will also be expected to operate until 8.00pm at least two evenings per week and for 4 hours on Saturday morning to accommodate the needs of users or carers who require appointments at these times.

Repairs services will operate an Out of Hours emergency facility outside of core weekday hours between 7:00am and 9.00am and 5.00pm and 11.00pm. The weekend emergency cover must operate between the hours of 7:00am and 11.00pm, inclusive of Bank Holidays.