Wheelchairs: short-term wheelchairs and wheelchair hire
Wheelchairs
Where you can access a wheelchair can be different, depending on whether you need it for long, or short-term use, or just for a social reason. The differences are explained below.
Long-term/permanent wheelchair need
If you need a wheelchair for long-term/permanent use, you should discuss this with your GP, District Nurse or any Allied Health Professional who will arrange for an assessment of your needs to be completed.
If a wheelchair is needed, you will be referred to the Regional Wheelchair Service. For most Falkirk residents, this will be WestMARC (West of Scotland Mobility and Rehabilitation Centre) in Glasgow.
WestMARC run wheelchair clinics at Stirling Health & Care Village for people in Forth Valley who have been referred to their service. Manual and powered wheelchair clinics take place twice a month.
If you have a wheelchair provided by WestMARC that needs a repair, or is no longer meeting your needs, contact WestMARC.
WestMARC 0844 811 3001
Short-term wheelchair loan
If you need a wheelchair for a short-term loan, to meet an urgent need you should discuss this with your District Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Physiotherapist.
You will be eligible to borrow a wheelchair if one of the following applies:
- You are unable to stand and/or walk while recovering from surgery, injury, or illness.
- You are receiving end-of-life care, and a wheelchair would improve your quality of life.
- You have been referred to the regional wheelchair service (WestMARC) to receive a permanent wheelchair and a short-term loan of a standard manual wheelchair will allow you to be discharged from hospital.
Wheelchairs for short-term loan in Forth Valley are supplied by the Joint Loan Equipment Service (JLES), following a request by a Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Physiotherapist. Loans are normally for up to 12 weeks but can be extended in exceptional circumstances up to 6 months. At the end of the loan period, wheelchairs must be returned to JLES for re-use.
If none of the above circumstances apply (for example if you need a wheelchair for social reasons or for going on holiday), you can hire a wheelchair, or buy one privately. Shopmobility in Falkirk and Stirling offer a hire service for a small charge.
Contact Shopmobility for more details.
Shopmobility Falkirk 01324 630500, Shopmobility Stirling 01786 449606