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Disability Equipment Provision
11 March 2026
Lead MP
Seamus Logan
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
SNP
Responding Minister
Zubir Ahmed
Tags
NHSSocial Care
Word Count: 9634
Other Contributors: 12
At a Glance
Seamus Logan raised concerns about disability equipment provision in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Logan asked the Minister to set out the reasons why a national strategy for disability equipment provision would not be implemented, highlighting the need for greater national leadership to ensure consistent and reliable access to equipment, regardless of location. The lead MP asked for government to address the issue of unused equipment and to improve the supply and demand management in the system.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Seamus Logan highlighted significant issues with the current system for providing disability equipment, noting that around 64% of respondents reported longer than expected waiting times, with one constituent waiting nearly two years for a wheelchair. He cited testimonies that the system is unsustainable, with complaints about waiting times, quality of equipment, and poor communication. The impact of delayed equipment provision was also emphasized, with one constituent stating that it leaves disabled people in environments that worsen their health or put them at risk of injury. Logan noted that 74% of equipment providers were aware of patients experiencing delayed hospital discharge due to unavailable community equipment. The lead MP expressed concerns about the impact of delays in receiving disability equipment on people's quality of life. He highlighted that equipment is often going unused when there is a need in another part of the system, which is a significant issue.
Alison Bennett
Lib Dem
Mid Sussex
Alison Bennett highlighted a case of a constituent with cerebral palsy and ME who was unable to receive a wheelchair through the Access to Work programme due to administrative failures, urging the Minister to reopen the case, question the integrity of the DWP's management information, and review the process to ensure it prioritises the needs of disabled people. Alison Bennett also raised specific cases and emphasized the need for timely access to suitable disability equipment.
Daniel Francis
Lab
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Daniel Francis, as chair of the all-party parliamentary group for access to disability equipment, highlighted the systemic barriers preventing millions of disabled people from accessing essential medical equipment. He noted that 71% of people feel the system is not meeting their needs and recommended the implementation of a national strategy overseen by a Minister to ensure consistency and accountability. He also mentioned that 74% of professionals are aware of delayed hospital discharges due to unavailable equipment, increasing financial strain on the NHS and social care system.
Evans
Lab
Hinckley and Bosworth
Dr Evans inquired about NHS reforms and the potential to think about better end-to-end commissioning and strategizing on disability equipment provision.
Edward Morello
Lib Dem
West Dorset
Edward Morello thanked the hon. Gentleman for securing the debate and highlighted a case where a constituent's mother had died after two years of home care, leaving behind multiple pieces of equipment with no way to return them due to the NHS provider's receivership. He argued that this is compounding the issue of equipment access.
Helen Maguire
Lib Dem
Epsom and Ewell
Helen Maguire highlighted the importance of disability equipment for independent living and criticised delays caused by staff shortages, supply chain issues, and inconsistent local authority processes. She mentioned a report revealing widespread delays in equipment provision and called for structural changes through the NHS reform Bill. Maguire also pointed out the closure of Whizz Kidz's wheelchair waiting list due to high demand and a 10-month average wait time for wheelchair assessments post-hospital discharge. She raised concerns about equipment wastage and the impact of NHS cuts on specialised services. She urged the Minister to treat disabled equipment as an essential part of independent living. Helen Maguire asked for an update on the Design for Life statistics on recycling and reusing disability equipment.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon highlighted the critical importance of disability equipment in Northern Ireland, where 24.3% of the population has a long-term health condition or disability. He mentioned the need for modern wheelchairs and the challenges of obtaining them, noting that constituents regularly wait for up to a year for occupational therapist assessments and adaptations. Shannon also raised concerns about contractors failing to complete work as promised and the need for businesses to prioritise disability access. He emphasised the need for co-ordinated funding and streamlined procurement to address equipment backlogs.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
John Hayes addressed three main issues: the inefficiency of the system for providing wheelchairs, the need for more adapted housing, and the importance of small services for disabled individuals. He pointed out that 70% of wheelchair users wait more than three months for their chairs, and suggested a recycling scheme to help those in need. Hayes also advocated for more obligations on local authorities and developers to build adapted homes and emphasized the significance of small, practical measures in supporting disabled people. John Hayes asked the Minister to provide details on how local authorities will access funding for 5,000 additional home adaptations, including how these adaptations will be distributed across the country and what types of adaptations are included. He requested information on whether these adaptations are for new build or traditional houses in private or public sectors. He asked whether the Government had assessed the return and reuse of equipment and called for a commitment to make such an assessment, suggesting it would be a positive outcome from the debate.
John Milne
Lib Dem
Horsham
John Milne questioned the Government's approach to Access to Work approvals, noting a 16% drop in approvals for aids and equipment despite an increase in disability claims, suggesting the Government has gotten tougher on approval criteria without publicly announcing any changes.
Liam Conlon
Lab
Beckenham and Penge
He intervened to express his experience and concern about the patchy provision of disability equipment and echoed Whizz Kidz's description of the system as underfunded, inaccessible, and fractured.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
He discussed the importance of cross-party unity in supporting constituents with disabilities, highlighted the need for a clear strategy and the importance of monitoring funding for disabled facilities grants. He also raised concerns about the insolvency of NRS Healthcare and the need for supply chain resilience, as well as issues with the Better Care Fund and the need for clarity on how it will be reformed.
Rachel Gilmour
Lib Dem
Tiverton and Minehead
Rachel Gilmour agreed with the hon. Gentleman about the patchwork system causing delays and dysfunction for disabled people. She cited a case of a 56-year-old constituent suffering from a progressive muscle wasting condition who has been left housebound due to the inability to obtain essential wheelchair adaptations. She appealed to the Minister for his good will to look into this case. Rachel Gilmour raised specific cases and highlighted the profound impact delays in receiving disability equipment have on people's quality of life.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Richard Foord highlighted the impact of disabilities on older people in the south-west of England, noting that 40% of people over 60 and 75% of those over 80 have disabilities. He drew attention to the case of Mary Dickinson, an elderly volunteer who was unable to get the necessary rechargeable hearing aids due to the change in service providers. Foord emphasized the need for the NHS to ensure that equipment provided is appropriate and accessible for elderly individuals with specific health conditions.
Government Response
Zubir Ahmed
Government Response
The minister acknowledged the points raised and committed to addressing delays in receiving disability equipment. He highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring disabled people have access to services and support, including £4.6 billion of additional funding for adult social care in 2028-29. He also mentioned the development of a new plan for disability to break down barriers to opportunity. The minister emphasized the importance of integrated care boards in commissioning services and managing the market for disability equipment. NHS England has developed policy guidance and legislation to support effective, efficient, and personalized wheelchair services. The minister also noted the introduction of personal wheelchair budgets to provide individuals with greater choice and control over the wheelchairs they receive. Additionally, the government is driving forward improvements for disabled people through the Better Care Fund, expanding care options, and increasing the uptake of personal health budgets. The minister committed to reviewing complaints regulations and improving accountability.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.