THE CHALLENGE OF INTRODUCING A WHEELCHAIR PASSPORT SCHEME INTO A

MULTI-PROVIDER ENVIRONMENT

Creese AndrewChief Executive Officer,Unwin Safety Systems

Key Safety Principles• In a minibus, wheelchairs should be

tied down• Occupants should be secured (seatbelt)• Securement should take the

individual’s needs into account

ISO 10542 standard• In 0.1 second• Crash from 30 mph / 50 kph • Dummy 75 kg• Wheelchair 85 kg• Generates 20 g deceleration• = force of 3.2 tonnes

ISO10542 Crash Test

Safe/Unsafe?

Safe/Unsafe?

Not Safe

The Issue• Big variety of wheelchair models• > 1000 in UK.

Trends – 1999 to 2005• Manual wheelchairs increased by

average of 4 kg • Electric wheelchairs increased by

average of 12 kg ……….. • …………………from 168 kg to 180 kg

Weight of occupied wheelchairs

2005 Study for UK Department for Transport

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Num

ber o

f use

rs

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Passport Scheme Objectives

• To provide information, in an easy to use format. • Information essential for the safe carriage of

wheelchair users• Particularly beneficial to wheelchair users with

more complex needs• The National Scheme will ensure consistency and

increased safety and mobility to users and staff.

BSI PAS 900 Code of Practice

Wheelchair Passport schemeWhat is BSI PAS 900?

Its a ‘Publicly Available Specification’ and a form of British Standard.

A PAS is the first step in the creation of a British Standard.

May be then submitted to CEN as a proposed EU Standard.

BSI PAS 900 Code of Practice

Wheelchair Passport schemeHow did BSI PAS 900 come to be?

Suggested by wheelchair users and the carers of wheelchair users.

Financed by Lincolnshire and Essex County Councils.

Technical Authorship was by Unwin Safety Systems.

BSI PAS 900 Code of Practice

Wheelchair Passport schemeDrafting of BSI PAS 900Steering Group included:

• Department for Transport• Community Trans. Assoc.• Transport for London• British Healthcare Trades

Assoc.• British Red Cross.• Chartered Soc. of

Physiotherapy• Kings College Hospital• Empower

What is a Wheelchair Passport?

•Gives information about securement of a wheelchair and restraint of its user according to individuals’ needs.

• A means to provide information to drivers and passenger assistants.

Information Included in the Passport

• Details and awareness of the passenger• Orientation and details of wheelchair• Type of restraints required• Seatbelt positioning• Adjustments e.g. ‘remove tray’

Passport SoftwareIndividual Assessment Information, easily updated with an audit trail included.

Database stores all Assessment Information.

Passport Software

Status• 2 Years since introduction• 10 Councils have adopted• Commitment by further 20 Councils –

awaiting funds• Feedback assembled

‘’When asked their views on the value of PAS 900 as a risk control measure.’’

• “Not sure how we coped without it – always felt vulnerable before implementing the scheme”

• “It captures so much information regarding the conveyance of wheelchair users and clearly highlights the risks that need to be considered and assessed”

• “Extremely useful. Invaluable”• “It is an important part of an overall risk assessment”• “Highly. The Passport provides the First line of

information supplied to the driver and passenger assistants”

‘’When asked their views on the benefit

brought to transport operations?’’• “Has offered Staffordshire ITU considerable ‘protection’ in it’s

day to day Operations”• “We feel much more confident in organising transport for

wheelchair users as a result of the introduction of the passport scheme”

• “Investment in the introduction of the Passport Scheme will eventually allow cost savings to be made, on an ‘Invest to Save’ basis”

• “Clarification of roles and responsibilities within the entire process of delivering transport for wheelchair passengers”

• “The correct type of tie-down to be used with each model, especially with ‘odd-ball’ models and heavy wheelchairs”

‘’What would you say has been the effect on the confidence of wheelchair users and

their carers in transport?’’• ’’ Parents and carers are now aware of correct transport

provisions and have spotted errors when in transport.’’• ‘’ Feedback has been positive from all stakeholders. Parents,

especially those that have raised concerns in the past regarding incorrect use of restraint & tie-down equipment, have welcomed the introduction of the scheme.’’

• ‘’Drivers and Passenger assistants knowledge of passports and their use is very limited and more training is required’’

• ‘’Greater involvement from parents and users. Schools have been extremely positive. One case where difficulty in finding a transport supplier for adult users, transport was pulled – staff retrained and complaints have stopped.’’

PAS 900 benefits to transport providers?

• Identifies and clarifies roles and responsibilities.

• Platform where all parties can achieve ‘inter-agency’ working.

• Contains a Risk Management template.

• Provides a means of audit.• Triggers a review of

provisions.

CONCLUSION• Transport providers are concerned about the risk they carry in

‘taking care’ of wheelchair users.• A well implemented passport scheme mitigates this risk.• It is difficult for many Councils to maintain the knowledge and

skill base to ensure safe provision. External training providers have a key role in ensuring both continuity and expertise.

• Initial assessment and the use of tailored software facilitates the provision of a relevant passport as well as providing a tool for assessing multiple needs and conducting risk assessment.

• Operational staff need to be trained in securement techniques in order to implement the assessment requirements.

• Wide adaptation of the passport scheme, both nationally and internationally, will facilitate increasing security during transport for wheelchair users when making long journeys.

• The success of the PAS 900 is such that consultation is currently underway to make it a full BSI standard.

CONCLUSION

The Vision

‘’ Wheelchair users will be able to travel the world safely.’’

An Early Attempt

PAS 900 benefits to users?

• Unite all disciplines involved with wheelchair supply and transport.

• Supply information about how to secure a wheelchair model.

• Supply details for the restraint of a particular passenger.

• Ensure safe vehicle entry and exit.• Overall means of ‘Risk Reduction’

at the point of transport.