Making a referral for a manual wheelchair

The Doncaster wheelchair service:

• provides wheelchairs to meet mobility needs for patients with long term disabilities (longer than 6 months) or are terminally ill
• provides wheelchairs to patients who have a GP in the Doncaster area
• provides pressure relieving cushions, postural support and custom seating for wheelchairs as required
• provides assessment in clinics, in education settings if appropriate or in patients’ homes when needed
• gives advice where required

Referral process

The service will accept self-referrals for initial manual provision or review from patients.

If a patient needs support with this or they don’t have access to the internet, please contact the wheelchair service.

Patients cannot self-refer for powered provision. They need to be referred by a GP.

We also accept referrals for manual provision from GPs, therapists and community nurses, however we ask that prior to any referral being made to Doncaster wheelchair services, the referrer establishes that the patient fulfils the criteria.

The patient must have limited walking ability and a long-term disability or illness which is likely to last more than 6 months or is terminally ill.

A failure to do so is likely to raise the patient’s expectations that they will be supplied with a wheelchair. This can lead to difficult situations and conversations for the patient and wheelchair service colleagues and can be a disappointment for the patient if a referral is made without considering all factors concerned.

Should you feel that a powered wheelchair is appropriate, please read the guidelines on powered wheelchair referrals.

Making a referral

An electronic referral form can be found on the wheelchair service page.

Please complete in full, including:

• referrer details
• measurements for the wheelchair

Should the patient not be eligible under the criteria, options for alternative means to accessing a wheelchair can be found at Dial Doncaster.

How to measure

Use a metal tape measure, do not bend the tape measure. Measurements need to be made in a straight line.

Hip width

To measure hip width, measure the outside edge to outside edge of the hips or at the widest part of thighs, if this distance is greater.

Lower leg length

Measure from the hip to the knee.

Measure from the back of knee to bottom of heel.

After referral

On receipt of the referral, the service will check eligibility and ensure that the information provided appears appropriate in terms of height, weight and measurements.

They will then consider whether the patient is suitable for a wheelchair and whether they can issue one direct to the patient from the information provided, or whether further information and a possible assessment, via appointment at the Doncaster wheelchair service.

If you require a home visit, see our wheelchair home visit criteria for more information.

Should you require any further information

Where a referral is rejected, the patient and referrer will be notified via a letter.

Where a referral is accepted, the patient will be placed on the appropriate list and contacted in line with service practices.

Page last reviewed: August 05, 2026
Next review due: August 05, 2027