New provider of wheelchair services for Calderdale and Kirklees announced
Ross Care, specialist providers of wheelchair services and mobility equipment across the UK, will provide NHS posture and mobility (wheelchair) services across Kirklees and Calderdale from 1 October 2019.
This follows a procurement process by NHS Greater Huddersfield, NHS North Kirklees and NHS Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs): the NHS organisations in charge of planning and buying wheelchair services for Calderdale and Kirklees.
The CCGs are working closely with the current service provider, Opcare, to make sure the change goes smoothly, and that all patient records are carefully and confidentially handed over to Ross Care so they deliver a service that continues to support the independence of people using wheelchairs from October 2019.
Dr Farrukh Javid, Clinical lead for wheelchair services for Greater Huddersfield, North Kirklees and Calderdale CCGs said:
“I’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved in the process of appointing a new wheelchair service provider for Kirklees and Calderdale.
“The CCGs have worked in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, including the voluntary and community sector, to hear from and involve people who use wheelchair services, carers and families in Calderdale and Kirklees, over the course of this process.
“Their advice, views and suggestions on how we can improve this service to meet their needs, has helped us develop a new service specification, which Ross Care will deliver from 1 October and the CCGs are very keen for their ongoing involvement in the process to ensure our wheelchair service continually meets the expectations of service users and carers.
“My thanks also to Opcare for their support in working with the CCGs to reduce waiting lists and improve service provision over the past few years. Thanks to this hard work we will be in a position to launch a new service that will support people who use wheelchairs to maximise their independence.
“Finally, I’d like to thank all of the organisations that applied to provide the wheelchair service across Kirklees and Calderdale during the procurement process.”
James Parramore, Managing Director of Rosscare, said:
“Ross Care is delighted to have been given the opportunity to work in combination with the Commissioning Groups and community representatives to see the service go from strength to strength through continuing innovation to best meet local requirements.
“We believe that a partnership approach, alongside the experience Ross Care has developed in other areas, will help ensure an excellent service for all in Calderdale, Greater Huddersfield and North Kirklees.