Wheelchair Support Service

It is estimated that 80% of people with MND will need a wheelchair.  It is important that you have an appropriate posture and mobility assessment, as early as possible, to identify your individual requirements and what type of wheelchair or mobility equipment you may be entitled to from statutory services.

The MND Association has worked with 3 key wheelchair manufacturers to develop several different models of the Powered Neuro Wheelchair which are suited to the needs of most people with MND and other similar progressive conditions.  This specification was developed with key stakeholders, including people with MND, and designed to enable a high-specification powered wheelchair to be affordable for local wheelchair services to provide.

The following video provides a guide to the Powered Neuro Wheelchairs and demonstrates how they may be of benefit. You can watch the full video or select from the individual chapters.

Some of the key features of a powered neuro wheelchair are:

• Powered tilt-in-space to help prevent slumping, sliding down or falling to one side
• A cushioned, tension-adjustable backrest to accommodate a rounded upper back
• A seatboard that can be supplied with the most appropriate cushion
• Different headrest options that can be adjusted to suit as the condition progresses
• Padded arm rests
• Options for adding different controls and switches
• Independent angle-adjustable foot rests

Suppliers

If you’d like to see further details on the different models of Powered Neuro Wheelchair shown in the video, you can follow the links to the key manufacturers below:

• Sunrise

What should I do next?

To be referred to your local statutory Wheelchair Service for assessment, ask a health and social care professional (HSCP), such as your GP, neurologist, occupational therapist, or physiotherapist.

• In some cases, the statutory service may not offer all of the makes and models of powered neuro wheelchairs shown. It is important, however, that the model provided is the most appropriate to meet your needs.
• There may be other add-on features identified as being of benefit to you that the statutory service is unable to fund (for example, attendant controls or a seat riser). In such instances, the MND Association can consider providing financial support through a MND Association Support (Care) Grant and this option may be worth discussing with your HSCP.
• Our Information Sheet for people with MND about Equipment and Wheelchairs contains more information on how to access a wheelchair.
• For further information, or if you have a wheelchair-related query, please email the MND Association’s Wheelchair Support Service on [email protected] or contact MND Connect on 0808 802 6262.

For professionals

Our Information Sheet for health and social care professionals on ‘Wheelchairs for people with motor neurone disease’ provides further details on: access to wheelchairs; types of wheelchair for people with MND; and Powered Neuro Wheelchairs.

If you have any questions or experience any problems with access to a wheelchair for a person with MND, please email us at [email protected] or contact MND Connect on 0808 802 6262.