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Row over wheelchair funding plans Row over wheelchair funding plans
(about 2 hours later)
Managers of Scotland's wheelchair services have threatened to pull out of talks over its future unless there is a commitment for more funding.Managers of Scotland's wheelchair services have threatened to pull out of talks over its future unless there is a commitment for more funding.
A recent review of the NHS Wheelchair and Seating Service said funding for it should be doubled to £30m a year.A recent review of the NHS Wheelchair and Seating Service said funding for it should be doubled to £30m a year.
But the Scottish Executive has pledged only a one-off payment of £1m.But the Scottish Executive has pledged only a one-off payment of £1m.
BBC Scotland has learned the service has refused to commit to any further discussions with the executive unless there is a promise of extra resources.BBC Scotland has learned the service has refused to commit to any further discussions with the executive unless there is a promise of extra resources.
Services for Scotland's 96,000 wheelchair users have been under review since 1982.Services for Scotland's 96,000 wheelchair users have been under review since 1982.
Staff say the service has been under-funded for even longer.Staff say the service has been under-funded for even longer.
The latest review, commissioned last year by the executive, recommended a doubling of the budget.The latest review, commissioned last year by the executive, recommended a doubling of the budget.
Average budget
Managers claim this means they can only give out the most basic wheelchairs - which are so heavy and unwieldy that many people are left prisoners in their own homes.Managers claim this means they can only give out the most basic wheelchairs - which are so heavy and unwieldy that many people are left prisoners in their own homes.
Dr Geoff Bardsley, the head of Tayside's Seating & Wheelchair Service, said the basic wheelchair cost £120 but some of the more complicated powered chairs could cost more than £5,000.
He has an average budget of £166 per person.
The manager of wheelchair services based in Inverness, Andy Menzies, was not impressed by the extra £1m from the health minister.
He said: "An additional £1m will help a little. It is short-term. It is not going to be repeated.
"It is difficult to plan on that and in our particular case in Inverness it probably amounts to about £50,000."
In a letter to the executive, the manager who oversees the entire service describes it as one of the oldest fleets of chairs in Western Europe.In a letter to the executive, the manager who oversees the entire service describes it as one of the oldest fleets of chairs in Western Europe.