Information
The service provides wheelchairs (manual and powered) and children’s buggies, with postural supports if required, to people with an on-going requirement for wheeled mobility that are living in the areas covered by NHS Lothian, NHS Fife and NHS Borders.
The core elements of the service are referral screening, clinical assessment, design, production, fitting, delivery, trial, repair and maintenance and, if appropriate, planned clinical review. The service does not provide out-of-hours cover nor breakdown rescue.
Repairs and requests for maintenance of equipment provided by the service and be made via the on-line request form or by calling the service during office hours (0131 537 9177 or 9175 between 8.30 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding NHS public holidays). The service can only repair and maintain NHS equipment.
Following a referral screening, equipment may be issued directly (and delivered to that patient’s home) or an assessment may be required. Assessments are usually carried out at the SMART Centre, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh. If someone is medical unfit to travel, then an assessment may be carried out at another location. A satellite clinic is also held at Lynebank Hospital, Dunfermline.
Further information is available on the SMART Services website at https://www.smart.scot.nhs.uk/service/wheelchairs-seating/.
M.A & M.D 26-06-24
The service operates both a paediatric and an adult pathway. The referral process is the same for both pathways. Most children will transition to the adult pathway when they reach 18 years of age.
The service adheres to the Scottish-wide eligibility criteria for wheelchairs and children’s buggies. Copies of the eligibility guidelines are available here: https://www.retis.scot.nhs.uk/wheelchaircriteria
Who can refer:
For patients who have not used our service before, a referral needs to be submitted either through a GP, a hospital consultant, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist or other healthcare professional involved in their care or who are knowledgeable about their therapeutic, postural and mobility goals.
Established users of the service can contact the service directly although it is often preferably to do so via a health professional (such as a community therapist) when there is a change to their condition or needs and an assessment is required.
Who to refer:
Anyone with a permanent condition requiring wheeled mobility and meets the eligibility criteria for NHS provision.
Who not to refer:
Anyone with a short-term condition that requires the temporary use of a wheelchair or children’s buggy. Scottish Government published a guidance document ‘Wheelchair provision – short-term loans: guidance’ on 23rd March 2021. Wheelchair provision – short-term loans: guidance – gov.scot (www.gov.scot).
Anyone requiring a powered mobility scooter as these are not provided by the NHS. Patients can get advice on this and try a limited number of products at the Disabled Living Centre https://www.smart.scot.nhs.uk/service/disabled-living-centre/
How to refer:
Referrals from GPs can be made via SCI Gateway (Astley Ainsley Hospital > Rehabilitation Medicine> LI SMART – Wheelchair)
Existing patients can self-refer by calling 0131 537 9177 or 9175.
Please find referral forms for Wheelchair or Power chair.
SMART Services – Wheelchair & Seating Service
https://www.smart.scot.nhs.uk/service/wheelchairs-seating/.
Wheelchair Eligibility Criteria https://www.retis.scot.nhs.uk/wheelchaircriteria.
Manual wheelchair or buggy referral form: SMART-Manual-Wheelchair-Referral-Form-V8.doc
Powered wheelchair referral form: SMART-Powerchair Referral Form (Adult, Children and Young People) V9
