The Audio Long Read ‘I wish I could say I kept my cool’: my maddening experience with the NHS wheelchair service
Jan 9, 2026
Following a life-altering climbing accident, Paul Sagar shares his frustrating journey navigating the NHS wheelchair service. He highlights the inconsistency and bureaucracy that complicate access to vital equipment. Insights from a physiotherapist reveal disturbing postcode disparities, leading to insufficient service quality. Sagar's choice to seek private solutions showcases the risks of reliance on a flawed system. The discussion uncovers the importance of accountability and the continuous challenges faced by users, including ongoing order failures and health risks.
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Referral Closed After One Missed Call
- Paul Sagar was paralysed in hospital and missed one phone call from his local wheelchair service, which closed his referral.
- The service sent the closure letter to his home while he remained in hospital and wheelchairless.
Postcode Lottery For Wheelchair Services
- Wheelchair services vary wildly by postcode, creating a postcode lottery for essential mobility equipment.
- Many providers delay assessment until patients are home, leaving people stranded and prolonging waits.
Had To Exaggerate Disability To Get Outdoors
- Ben waited ten months for a power chair and was initially issued a manual wheelchair he couldn't push outdoors.
- He says he had to exaggerate his disability to secure a power chair and regain a life outside the house.
