Libby Thomas

Service Manager Independent Living

The difference we make globally

• disaster response and local preparedness • longer-term resilience programmes • development of our National Societies• advocacy and influence

The difference we make in the UK

Helping people •in an emergency or a major incident•who would otherwise go to hospital or who are at risk of spending longer there than is necessary •who have been forcibly displaced, such as refugees and asylum seekers•better prepare for crises through the impact of our first aid and humanitarian education

Our Priorities

Wheelchair Lottery

If you come a cropper and need a wheelchair, your best bet is to either get injured just a little or quite a lot.

Confused?

3 interesting health facts

If you twist your ankle or get a small mobility injury, hospitals in the UK have to provide you with a ‘minor aid’ – such as crutches or a walking frame

If you have a serious illness or injury that will mean long-term use of wheelchair, hospitals are similarly obliged to provide the equipment.

But …

If you need a wheelchair for a short term ailment (officially, anything that lasts less than 6 months), no official body has any responsibility to help

Mobility Aids Service 2013

> 20,000 loans across HIOWS

> 10,000 loans in Hampshire

> Fareham loaned 703 items

> Gosport loaned 825 items

> Of which 553 were wheelchairs

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