Daughter angered by CCG decision

Disabled pensioner Celia Hodkin has been refused a wheelchair by the CCG because she doesn't meet the criteria. Pic shows her with her daughter Cath Stone.

A DAUGHTER has spoken of her disgust after her 92-year-old mum was refused a replacement wheelchair because it will "only be used outdoors".

Celia Hodkin is dependent on support frames and a stairlift at home and a broken old wheelchair when she goes out.

But daughter Cath Stone (60) was appalled that Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group said she does not qualify for a government-funded chair because she does not use one indoors.

Restricted

The CCG said that the service is provided to residents whose indoor mobility is "permanently restricted".

Mrs Stone, of New Moston, said: "I think it is appalling and disgusting. I think each case needs to be looked at on its own merit.

"Why should we have to buy a wheelchair to enable her to go out?

"First, heart failure, then a fall set mum back and she needed emergency support.

"She uses a stairlift and another frame upstairs.

"She is dependent on two frames and hobbles around."

Mrs Stone has been trying to secure a wheelchair for her mum since April after she was cared for at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

The full-time carer who visits her mum most days as well as looking after her disabled daughter criticised the system which sets the eligibility criteria.

She said: "I went to my MP and then to NHS England.

"But the circumstances around meeting the criteria were so complicated.

Kick

"We finally found that if you are not dependent on a wheelchair in the house then you cannot have one.

"I think they need a kick up the backside.

"Yes my mum was frameless and could use a stick back in December ­- but now she cannot.

"She is now absolutely dependent.

"All in all I just think it is awful ­- and really sad ­- that they would not give her a wheelchair."

Family members who take the pensioner outdoors currently use a broken old chair which was given to them by a friend.

They say it is in such bad condition that a wheel has already fallen off.

A spokesman for Oldham CCG said: "NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group commissions a wide range of health services on behalf of Oldham patients with the triple aims of ensuring high quality care, improving the health of the population and also ensuring the best use of local NHS resources.

Specific

"While we would like to be able to give all patients everything they want, in practice we have to to ensure that we target resources at those in greatest need.

"For this reason, the Wheelchair Service provides wheelchairs on a permanent loan basis to those whose indoor mobility is permanently restricted and will remain so for at least six months.

"We do not usually pay for wheelchairs solely for outdoor use, except in specific circumstances."