Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – 143 patients in Barnet faced delays beyond 18 weeks for NHS wheelchairs, new figures reveal, raising concerns about service wait times and patient care.
According to new data, more disabled people in Barnet had to wait more than four months for an NHS wheelchair in the three months leading up to June.
People in desperate need of extra support are being denied “life-changing equipment,” according to the head of Muscular Dystrophy UK, which advocates for over 110,000 children and adults in the UK who suffer from one of more than 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions. The organization urged the government to take immediate action.
This was more than the 29 people who waited past the goal during the same time frame the previous year.
In the meantime, the number of people who actually received a wheelchair during the target period decreased from 1,052 the previous year to 920.
In England, 7,284 patients—a 21% rise from 6,022 the previous year—did not acquire their necessary wheelchair within the allotted time.
Additionally, the number of recipients dropped from 30,754 to 28,324.
The NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board spent £3.5 million a year on wheelchairs, which was 4% less than the previous year.
Wheelchair provision cost £137 million nationwide, 10% higher than the previous year.
26 were youngsters, and 16 were deemed to have the most severe “specialist need” out of those who did have to wait more than eighteen weeks in north central London.
Muscular Dystrophy UK manages the Joseph Patrick Trust, which provides grants towards the costs of powered mobility equipment, which can cost up to £30,000 each.
Its chief executive Andy Fletcher said:
“It’s disappointing that people who desperately need wheelchairs are having to wait even longer to access life-changing equipment.
As a charity, we know the needs of people living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions are not being met.
This is evident from the figures and our helpline has seen an increase in calls from those struggling to access appropriate equipment.
The NHS must take urgent action to ensure everyone can access the right equipment when they need it.”
An inquiry was made to NHS England.
How does Barnet’s wheelchair wait compare with other London ICBs?
Barnet NHS North Central London ICB saw 143 people wait longer than the 18-week national target in the three months to June 2025.
Other London ICBs have reported similar challenges, with demand outstripping capacity, though exact wait numbers vary.
The wheelchair service for Barnet and surrounding North West London areas is provided by AJM Healthcare and Ross Care, which serve multiple boroughs with wheelchair assessments and provision, indicating shared service infrastructure with some neighbouring ICBs.
Barnet reported significant waiting list pressures but compares similarly with nearby boroughs like Enfield and Haringey, though detailed wheelchair wait times by borough are less frequently published compared to housing or general social care waits.