‘Poorly fitting wheelchairs put disabled at risk’

Disabled people are at risk of further significant health problems due to badly fitting wheelchairs and a lack of repair facilities, a conference at the University of Limerick heard yesterday.

Occupational therapist Dr Rosie Gowran said: “There are more than 40,000 people who use wheelchairs and seating assistive technologies in Ireland but they are being failed by a worrying lack of uniformity when accessing services, receiving their wheelchair, repair and maintenance.”

A study on wheelchair provision by the University of Limerick, highlighted issues around waiting times for assessment and provision.