Walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility scooters
The NHS can provide equipment, such as walking sticks, walking frames and wheelchairs to aid mobility. These are provided on long-term loans and you can arrange this through your GP, hospital consultant or physiotherapist.
Walking sticks, Walking frames (zimmer frames or rollators)
You can use a walking stick to give you extra support and help you balance. It can give you confidence and make walking less painful.
A walking frame gives you more support than walking sticks. You can use them to get around your home or to get out and about.
How to get a walking stick or walking frame
You can borrow some types of walking sticks or walking frames from the NHS. Speak to your GP, physiotherapist or hospital staff. You might have to pay a small deposit.
You can buy online or from mobility shops.
Which? has advice on:-
Wheelchairs
Ask your GP, physiotherapist or hospital staff to refer you to your local wheelchair service for an assessment. You'll need to do this before you can get an NHS wheelchair.
The local wheelchair service will decide if you need a wheelchair and, if so, what type.
Opcare are the wheelchaire providers for Calderdale and Kirklees.
Borrowing wheelchairs
You can sometimes borrow NHS wheelchairs for a short while (for example, after an operation).
Shopmobility rent mobility scooters, wheelchairs and walkers. This service is provided by Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees.
If you need a short-term loans of mobility aids these can often be loaned from the local British Red Cross. You can ether collect equipment or, in some cases, have it delivered for a small fee.
Get help with costs
The Motability Scheme can help if you want to hire or buy an electric wheelchair. It allows some people to use their benefits to pay for a wheelchair.
Mobility scooters
Mobility scooters can be useful if you struggle to walk or are disabled, need to travel long distances, and are able to easily get on and off a mobility scooter.
How to get a scooter
Mobility scooters aren't generally available on the NHS. You can buy online or from mobility shops.
Which? has advice on:-
Buying your own equipment
Online self assessment tool
You can use the Self assessment tool to help find products and advice that make independent living easier.
Try before you buy
Medequip provide the Independent Living Centre in Kirklees on behalf of the council. They can give you advice about disability aids and equipment and have products on display that you can try out.