“Across the UK, a child is diagnosed with a severe disability every 25 minutes, although some children need hospital care, 98% of disabled children live at home with a parent or other family member who may not have expected to be in this position but who has quickly had to become an expert.” (Contact a Family)

From birth, one tends to think about developmental disabilities, but at any time it is important to remember that individuals may acquire disabilities. Only 3% of disabled people are born with a congenital impairment. (‘Jobs Not Charity’ report) Acquired disabilities may be caused by accident, brain damage and/or disease. The disability may stabilise improve or deteriorate in the same way as with developmental disabilities. In both cases, the impact of the environment and tasks undertaken may mean the disabled child requires specialist support, equipment and constant re-evaluation of need.

According to Sheila Brown (CEO of BDF New Life) in a “mid campaign investigation into actual spending on equipment for disabled children in England”,(2006), “research has shown that a disabled child under two will need three pieces of equipment daily to provide basic care (also stated in Disabled Children and Young People and those with Complex Health Needs – Dept of Health,  2004)

 The BDF New Life report also points out that “the average powered wheelchair costs around £3,500, a special seating unit costs up to £2,000, a special bed for a severely disabled child (who will spend hours in this bed) costs up to £1,500…” “In total children with complex disabilities in England are allocated as little as £60 on average per child per year for vital equipment…”  “The average NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) spent £41.94 per child and the average Local Authority (LA) spent £18.89 per child each year in their area. “  A report on the situation in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales is to follow.

A BBC news item (2006) about the BDF NewLife report asked Jo Webber, deputy policy director at the NHS Confederation, which represents health service managers to comment: “We recognise that the provision of equipment, including wheelchairs, for disabled and sick children is currently a difficult and emotive area.

“It is particularly challenging as wheelchairs and other specialist equipment tend to be very expensive and children quickly outgrow them.

“This is one of many areas that primary care trusts and local authorities need to work closely together on.  Partnership working is crucial.”