The Rehabilitation Engineering Clinic of the Health Technology Management Unit is responsible for the specification, purchase, quality assurance, delivery, fitting and adaptation of prescribed wheelchairs.  The chairs are required to assist in the rehabilitation of patients in hospitals and to provide the equipment necessary to ensure an effective discharge from hospital into the community.

A prescribed wheelchair differs from a non-prescribed wheelchair as it is customised to the user’s needs, and includes pressure management and postural support, to maximise functional capability and comfort. A prescribed wheelchair utilises adjustable and swappable components to ensure a suitable configuration can be developed for the individual's requirements.

The following broad product categories targeted to adults only will be covered by the resultant contract.

Category 1

Powered wheelchairs (frame only)

• Front wheel drive
• Mid wheel drive
• Rear wheel drive

Manual and Power Assisted wheelchairs (frame only)

• Self-Propelling
• Tilt-in-Space
• Power assist

Category 2

• Wheelchairs parts and accessories

Category 3 

Postural Support Surfaces

• Seat cushions, including pressure redistribution cushions
• Backrests

A panel of contractors will be appointed to each category.