KENT NHS WHEELCHAIR SERVICES
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR INDOOR/OUTDOOR POWERED WHEELCHAIRS (EPIOC'S)

The Eligibility Criteria for EPIOC'S was agreed by South East
Thames Region and all of Kent use this Criteria.

The client must:

1. Have a permanent address within the Kent NHS Wheelchair Service area at the time of issue.
2. Satisfy the eligibility criteria for an indoor powered wheelchair i.e.

[i] be unable to walk effectively within their home.

[ii] be unable to self propel a manual wheelchair sufficiently to get around independently within their home.

3. Have demonstrated effective management of a powered wheelchair within their own home prior to indoor/outdoor use.
4. Have a permanent need for an indoor/outdoor powered wheelchair.
5. Have a potential to benefit from the chair through increased mobility and outdoor unsupervised independence, leading to an improved quality of life.
6. Have satisfactorily completed a medical assessment at the Wheelchair Clinic to establish medical fitness to operate a powered wheelchair outside. This will include consideration of medication, visual and hearing ability, fits etc., in line with DVLA requirements for motor vehicle drivers.
7. Have demonstrated in a driving test and by other means that they have the insight, intellectual capacity and dexterity to operate an indoor/outdoor powered wheelchair safely and responsibly on their own and without assistance.
8. Meet the occupant weight limit stated in the manufacturer's specification for the chair.
9. Have a suitable home environment for the independent operation of the chair with footplates in situ. Indoor/outdoor chairs are generally larger and may move more quickly than an indoor-only model. There must be adequate space for storage of the wheelchair, with a power supply for the battery charger. Suitable access must be available for the wheelchair user to independently drive between doors and the local outside environment. Any ramps must be sufficiently strong to safely support the weight of the chair and user, with a gradient that complies with the manufacturer's specification for the wheelchair. The local outside environment must be compatible with the operation of a powered wheelchair.

10. Be aware of East Kent Community Healthcare Trust recommendations for;

[i] Undertaking of insurance as directed by the Wheelchair Service
[ii] Membership of a breakdown/recovery service

Please note;
The chair will remain on loan subject to regular review to ensure that the client continues to meet the above criteria.

An indoor/outdoor powered wheelchair will not be supplied by the NHS Wheelchair Service if the sole or primary need is for use within a school/college environment, day centre, flats complex etc. The Wheelchair Service reserves the right to withdraw the chair if it is not used appropriately or if the user no longer fulfills the criteria.

This scheme excludes the provision of attendant controlled outdoor powered wheelchairs, buggies and scooters.