New provider announced for wheelchair services

AJM Healthcare will no longer provide wheelchair services from April 1

A new provider has been announced for wheelchair services in Derby and Derbyshire.

The NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has appointed Blatchford Ltd to run the service, taking over from AJM Healthcare from 1 April 2025.

Healthwatch Derbyshire issued a report in February 2024 which found wheelchair users and carers had experienced long waiting times to receive wheelchairs and parts from AJM.

AJM declined to comment when approached by the BBC.

Mr Taylor has been waiting a year for a wheelchair

Rob Taylor, 56, from South Normanton, was referred for a wheelchair in February 2024 but is still waiting to receive the custom piece of equipment.

"It took me about two months just to get an appointment to be measured," he said.

"I've been waiting so long, it is affecting my mental health - it feels as if I'm just stuck and relying on everybody else."

New provider Blatchford will continue to deliver community clinics across Derby and Derbyshire.

The new Derby service centre will be at Unit 10 Raynesway Park, Raynesway.

Patients have been told their records and relevant clinical notes will automatically be transferred to Blatchford by the end of March 2025.

A spokesperson for the ICB said: "NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB has recently appointed Blatchford as provider of wheelchair services for the whole of Derby and Derbyshire, excluding Glossop.

"This follows an open, competitive procurement, held because the previous contract was due to come to an end.

"The specification for the new contract was informed by extensive engagement with clinicians, patients and carers to understand their needs and wishes.

"In making the contract award we gave a high priority to the quality of service proposed, while still providing value for money."