Tanni-Grey Thompson Launches New Wheelchair Services
Improved new service promises quick repairs available round the clock
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, world record-holder and Paralympic gold medallist, has this month helped launch of North West London’s two new NHS wheelchair services.
The services are commissioned across North West London by the following clinical commissioning groups: Brent CCG, Barnet CCG, Central London CCG, West London CCG, Hammersmith and Fulham CCG, Hounslow CCG, and Ealing CCG.
In H&F the service is run by AJM Healthcare, who will provide people with all NHS wheelchair services including clinical assessments, specialist seating, delivery, repairs and maintenance.
The launch event itself took place at AJM Healthcare, near Park Royal. Attendees were greeted with a tour of the newly-refurbished facilities, and a welcome message from NHS Programme Director Lizzy Bovill.
The Baroness gave a moving speech on the NHS’s commitment to the principles of the Wheelchair Alliance’s Wheelchair Charter, in which she talked about her childhood as a wheelchair user since the age of 8, and how her father’s work as an architect shaped her understanding of the world in terms of accessibility. The Baroness praised the NHS in North West London for taking wheelchair services so seriously and for involving people who use chairs so closely and consistently in the design process.
The new services were designed with input from wheelchair users, and they both incorporate the principles of the Wheelchair Alliance’s Wheelchair Charter. NHS England has described the North West London service as “exemplary” and has invited it to be a case study site.
Dr Fiona Butler (Chair of NHS West London Clinical Commissioning Group) spoke about why the redesign of NHS wheelchair services in North West London was necessary – in particular, about the importance of improving wheelchair services for people with complex and/or long-term conditions, and a commitment to ensuring that the repair service is consistent, quick, and available 24/7.
Ealing wheelchair user Alex Cowan then took to the stage with a passionate speech about why repairs in particular are so important for people to live independently. Alex lives in Ealing and was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) in her mid-20s. She has been a wheelchair user for over 15 years, and has been involved in many NHS projects during that time.
To finish off the afternoon there was an official ribbon-cutting, followed by the slicing of a specially-made cake, boasting a wheelchair print on the blue icing, and a presentation of flowers to the Baroness, Dr Butler, and Alex.
Tanni Grey-Thompson has won 16 Paralympic medals, including 11 gold medals. She has broken over 30 world records and has won the London Marathon six times.
October 14, 2016