About the Wheelchair Service

The Wheelchair and Seating Service provides wheelchairs and specialist seating (in association with wheelchairs) to individuals with a permanent disability that affects their mobility.  The Service covers the Grampian area as well as the Orkney and Shetland islands, a population of roughly 556,000 people and an area of over 8,700 square kilometers (not including islands).  The Service is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of occupational therapists, bioengineers, technicians and administrators.  Around 2,700 referrals are received per year, which result in the issue of around 2,000 wheelchairs and/or seating systems. The service has around 7000 active users (aged from under 1 year to 100+) who generate 900 clinic attendances per year and 350 domiciliary visits.

As well as providing a clinical assessment and provision service, the Wheelchair and Seating Service also provides a repair service for existing users that includes a workshop on site and a number of vans that travel throughout the Grampian area for local repairs. Annually technicians carry out over 4000 repairs, deliveries and collections, as well as over 2000 additional workshop requests.

New referrals to the wheelchair service must be completed on a MARS Wheelchair Referral form and signed by a GP or medical consultant. For existing wheelchair users who already have a wheelchair or buggy provided by the Wheelchair Service, self-referrals or referrals by anyone involved with the individual's care are accepted, and can be completed by either filling out a MARS Wheelchair Referral form or simply contacting the Service.