Wheelchairs

[FrancesNiadova]

After months of waiting, I'm having my ankle fused tomorrow. I've looked on the hospital website & it says nothing about lending wheelchairs. A disability shop loans them from £15 per week, but as I'll be off my feet for 8 - 12 weeks it will probably be cheaper to buy a basic one.
Does anyone know if hospitals do generally lend wheelchairs? (Fine time to think about it really, I've got my silk pillows, got my soft hair scrunchies, didn't think about wheelchairs - D'Oh!)

Have you tried Red Cross? They seem to loan out wheelchairs, though not sure for as long a period as you need. Worth a try though. Have borrowed wheelchair twice, and they just ask for donation. (Sorry don't know about hospital)

Hospitals do not have a wheelchair loan service. I would second the advice about the Red Cross, see here.
Good luck with your operation.

red cross and St John Ambulance lend out stuff for as long as you need it. Although a friend of mine rented a mobility scooter and so loved it she had to be forced to give it back...

These knee scooters are great for people who are non-weight bearing after ankle surgery.

Your GP may be able to organise this for you. In our area we can refer for manual or electric wheelchairs.

Thanks for all your advice. I'll get DH to give the red cross, st John's Ambulance & the Dr a call - it'll give him something to do once he's taken the DCs to school

Red Cross are fab for wheelchairs, I got one from them as a kid years ago when I broke my leg - they sorted out a proper paediatric one and drove my mum to get it. We were allowed to keep it for as long as I needed (which ended up being past 2 months or so). It was quite a decent one as well - chrome with a leather seat as far as I remember. Definitely give them a call tomorrow and see what they can offer - and best of luck tomorrow xx

Yes to the Red Cross but in our area you need a letter from the Dr or OT/ physio to say why you need one.

Thanks for your suggestions

I borrowed from the Red Cross, you have to pay a refundable deposit which I left as a donation, I didn't need a Dr's letter, give them a call.

I bought one in the end, the red cross were 30 miles away!

I'm still sitting, leg raised & bored to bits. I can't get to the hairdressers, so I'm colouring my hair instead of having highlights, eek!

When I realised I'd left my hairbrush, I did the whole, "I'll just get the phone, won't be a minute," thing.
I've got the stinky stuff on my hair now, so I've got a coffee,(DH leaves a flask,) & mumsnet is my, "would you like a magazine?"

I think I'll have the serum & straighteners today, woohoo!

No, we haven't booked our holidays yet, we go to the caravan in France, are you going anywhere naice?

I think 6 weeks stuck upstairs with my leg raised is beginning to get to me