Wheelchair user's frustration at new parts delay

Sofie Henshall said she was suffering blisters in her current wheelchair

A woman has spoken of her frustration after waiting a year for replacement parts for her wheelchair.

Sofie Hensall, from Clayton in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, had an assessment in June last year where she was told she needed a new seating system for her chair.

The parts have been ordered but despite her continually checking to see where they are they have yet to arrive.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) said it was working with its suppliers to address the delays.

Ms Henshall, 32, has dynamic spasticity, a condition which causes her to jerk in an upright position when she talks or gets excited. She has used a wheelchair all her life.

She said she has to be strapped into her current wheelchair because of her sudden movements which has caused her to develop blisters.

“You’re getting blisters on your feet, blisters on your back, everywhere basically. Everywhere there’s a strap or a tiedown that’s putting pressure on your body, you’re getting blisters,” she said.

'Dead frustrating'

The new seating system would help solve these issues but Ms Hensall said she kept getting “fobbed off” despite multiple daily phone calls to the ICB.

“It’s just dead frustrating when you’re ringing every single day, two or three times a day. You’re getting so annoyed that they’re not bothered by the fact you’re in so much pain,” she added.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB said it was aware of the delays and an action plan had been developed with supplier AJM Healthcare to address the issue.

“We understand the importance of these mobility aids and the wellbeing and care of everyone is our utmost priority,” they added.

AJM Healthcare has been approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service for a comment but the firm has not responded.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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