Caring for a disabled child can sometimes be made easier with the use of certain aids and equipment. This page is about where to go for further advice.
Legal duties
Both your local health authority and your local social services department provide aids and equipment to disabled people. Under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (England and Wales) a local authority has a duty to provide practical assistance and additional facilities designed to secure greater safety, comfort or convenience to those people assessed as needing them.
Who to contact
In the first place, you should contact your social worker if you have one or contact your GP and tell them about the kind of help you're looking for. You can also approach other healthcare or personal care professionals such as the district nurse, physiotherapist or school nurse. In Bexley, please contact Inspire Community Trust for more information.
Bexley Wheelchair Services
AJM Healthcare is the appointed NHS wheelchair service provider for residents currently registered with a GP in Bexley.
The service will provide you with all NHS wheelchair services, including:
- clinical assessments
- specialist seating
- delivery
- repairs and maintenance
- collection when the wheelchair is no longer required
Funding
Disabled Facilities Grant
You could get a grant from your council if you need to make changes to your home. Find out more here.
Charitable Funding
Many families are finding that equipment and/or adaptations for their children cannot be funded by statutory services and are therefore seeking alternative funding means. A range of national charities may be able to help:
You can also search for charities on the website, Turn2Us: www.turn2us.org.uk
Further information
- Living Made Easy provide free, impartial advice and information on solutions, gadgets, adaptations and aids to make life easier
- Local Offer
- Contact has useful articles on aids and equipment