Hansard

I am coming to that.

I realise that people who use the services now want real progress. Service providers are considering and implementing several recommendations of the wheelchair review, including the introduction of satellite clinics in the west of Scotland and in Tayside, which relates to recommendation 4; the introduction of self-referral by all five wheelchair and seating centres, to enable users to have their equipment requirements reviewed, which relates to recommendation 8; and the introduction of planned preventive maintenance in the NHS Highland area and in the west of Scotland for powered chairs, which relates to recommendation 32.

The project team will produce an action plan by December for my approval. Members should be under no illusion that there is any room for slippage in that regard—I reassure Johann Lamont on that point. The action plan will identify the recommendations that best meet the needs of the users and carers and which are achievable, measurable—Jackie Baillie mentioned that—and the most effective use of resources. We must get this right; we do not want to be back here again. That is why a three-month period for consulting all those with an interest in wheelchair and seating services has been built into the timeline for delivery of the action plan.

Following the outcome of the comprehensive spending review, over the next three years £16 million of additional funds will be allocated to the modernisation and redesigning of NHS wheelchair and seating services in Scotland. I think that, in the current financial climate, that is a fair settlement for a very important issue. However, the additional resources will be released only following the Scottish Government's approval of robust, fully costed business cases from each of the five wheelchair centres in Scotland and taking into account the terms of the action plan. I hope that members are reassured that we will ensure that the money is spent on the right things in the right places.

I know that Trish Godman takes a keen interest in the Quarriers village near Bridge of Weir, which is a charity that supports both adults and children with disabilities. WESTMARC provides wheelchair and seating services to Quarriers. It is in direct contact with Quarriers and is familiar with the issues of access to attendant-controlled powered wheelchairs and the safe use of manual wheelchairs by young adults at Quarriers. WESTMARC provides powered wheelchairs to people who meet the national eligibility criteria, and many young adults at Quarriers and similar facilities need wheelchairs due to their lack of mobility.

As Trish Godman will acknowledge, this is not just about resources. WESTMARC clearly has a responsibility to assess the needs of young adults who are affiliated to Quarriers and to provide and maintain suitable equipment for them. In some instances, challenging behaviour and its management have to be taken into account and will influence the equipment that can be provided. There can sometimes be conflicting aims, but it is clear that at all times safety considerations must be paramount. The wheelchair project team will work with service managers in conducting a review of the national eligibility criteria for powered wheelchairs. I hope that that addresses Trish Godman's concerns in that regard.

It is imperative that NHS boards support the modernisation of wheelchair and seating services by providing adequate funding to the services on an annual basis as well as the additional resources from the spending review. The Scottish Government is determined to drive forward the modernisation and redesigning of Scotland's wheelchair and seating services, underpinned by robust funding arrangements, for the benefit of all users and carers. I hope that that reassures all members who have taken part in the debate.