Improving transition for young wheelchair users
The forum gives people an opportunity to share their experiences and have a say in shaping and improving wheelchair services for the future.
At its first virtual meeting last month, it discussed priorities for the coming year. And smoothing the transition process for young wheelchair users is top of the to do list.
Although our area's wheelchair service - delivered by AJM Healthcare - is an all-age service, the forum wants to see better support for young wheelchair users as they move into adult-age services in the region.
As well as the wheelchair service, they are using services such as education, benefits, access to work and social care.
Adult services can be hard to navigate
And, for those with learning disabilities or complex high needs, the move to adult services can be hard to navigate.
The forum heard yesterday that children’s services are co-ordinated, especially for young people attending special schools.
But the move into adult-age services starts at different times for different services – adding to the confusion.
Working with the local CCG
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissiong Group (CCG), which funds the wheelchair service, is working on transition as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.
“The Wheelchair User Forum is pleased to be able to offer its help and support to the CCG on this issue,” said Graham Lewis, Healthwatch Partnership Development Manager, who supports the work of the forum.
Have your say on transition
Are you, or do you help care for, a young person that uses a wheelchair? Tell us your experiences about transition – or have your say on how transition could be improved to become more person-centered and age-appropriate.
Contact Graham Lewis at Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Share your views with us via our website
0330 355 1285, mobile 07432 865 996
