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Recent Policy Developments
Comprehensive Spending Review: new indicator for disabled children
On 9 October 2007 the Government published its spending plans and priorities for the next four years (up to 2011).
There are some important developments relating to our campaign to improve the provision of wheelchair services for disabled children and young people:
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A new national target (Public Service Agreement) to improve the health and wellbeing of children. This target will be measured in part by a specific ‘indicator’ for disabled children to assess the satisfaction of parents with the services they use.
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The new Department of Health funding settlement must allocate additional expenditure up to and beyond 2011 to improve the quality of mobility equipment available for children and young people
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A new local ‘core offer’ will set out what a family with a disabled child is entitled to receive in terms of statutory service provision, information, support as well as how they can participate in decisions about service planning.
We have issued a joint statement with Barnardo’s responding to the CSR report - Whizz-Kidz' statement.
You might like to add your views to the campaign forum
Aiming High for Disabled Children, Better Support for Families
In a recent report published by the Treasury and Department for Education, 'Aiming High for Disabled Children' the Government announced a radical reform of the way that wheelchairs and other types of equipment are provided to families with disabled children.
The Government pledged more funding in order to maximise a child’s mobility; speed up access to essential mobility equipment, prevent deterioration of conditions; and ensure that the social and educational, as well as the clinical needs of young wheelchair users are being met.
We are urging the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families to ensure that the reform of the wheelchair service meets the full development needs of disabled children - so that all who need it can get the right wheelchair early in life. Additional funding is needed to make this a reality.
Read the ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children, Better Support for Families’ here
Department of Health Transforming Community Equipment & Wheelchair Services Review
The Department of Health is currently reviewing the provision of wheelchair services through the Transforming Community Equipment & Wheelchair Services Programme (TCE&WS).
Whizz-Kidz is engaging closely with the Programme to ensure that the mobility equipment available through the NHS represents best-value and is appropriate for young wheelchair users.
The new model of wheelchair services, due for implementation in Spring 2008, must support the health and social development needs of disabled children and young people.
You can visit the TCE&WS website here
For more information about policy developments, and Whizz-Kidz’ key recommendations please contact Stephanie Bell on 020 7798 6102 or email us
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My Hippo Powered chair enables me to get myself to school, have days out, and I can now see over fences and through windows! I can also recline the chair when I need a rest!