Video: New wheelchair centre to boost NHS patient experience across Northumberland and North Tyneside
NHS patients across Northumberland and North Tyneside with long-term conditions or physical disabilities now have increased access to experts and specialist equipment with the opening of the new Northumbria Wheelchair Centre.
Wheelchair services in Northumberland and North Tyneside came together to operate under the new name “Northumbria Wheelchair Centre”, at Seaton Delaval.
The facility will be a one-stop shop for the assessment of postural mobility and wheelchair patients. It will also include new state-of-the-art training facilities, four clinic rooms, and extensive warehousing facilities.
As well as new state-of-the-art equipment, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, technical instructors, warehouse staff, and regional wheelchair engineers will all be based at the Northumbria Wheelchair Centre.
Lindsay Holmes, Operational Manager for the wheelchair centre, commented: “We have always worked to provide a high-quality service for our patients, but having all of our staff and equipment in one place, in a purpose-built facility, will ensure our team can provide the best care possible.”
The previous wheelchair services centre, which was located in North Shields, has relocated to Northumbria Healthcare Manufacturing and Innovation Hub.
Teresa Creighton, Deputy Director of Community Services at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, commented: “The merging of wheelchair services in Northumberland and North Tyneside is a fantastic development and will support people, their families and carers, promote independence and improve quality of life.
“We are delighted to be moving to this brand-new centre in Seaton Delaval which includes state-of-the-art training facilities and will improve access to wheelchair services to patients in Northumberland and North Tyneside.”
Sean Gorman, who has MS (multiple sclerosis), has been using Northumbria Wheelchair Services for more than 10 years.
He added: “When I first started accessing the service I received a basic, lightweight, manual chair.
“My circumstances now mean that I need a fully-powered wheelchair with an attendant control and Wheelchair Services have been there from the very beginning with a lightweight independent chair to the chair I have to use now.
“It isn’t just a perfunctory relationship, you get to know the people who you’re working with. They’ve always presented me with a range of options, some that might be based on convenience, and some based on me retaining as much autonomy as possible.
“The service considers your priorities and how you need the chair to help, but also how you would like the chair to be able to fit into your life as much as possible.”
Watch the video below to learn more about the Northumbria Wheelchair Centre: