Seventy four year old Shirley McCall from Hampden Park in Eastbourne used to feel as though she were sitting on pebbles because the seat in her wheelchair was so uncomfortable.
That was until Karen Atkinson (Lead Practitioner Occupational Therapist), and her team from
the East Sussex Wheelchair Service, set out to solve the problem.
The NHS team used a special computerised mapping system to analyse where the worst pressure points in the seat were.
By looking at the computer screen whilst trying out different seat cushions, they could reduce the pressure on Shirley’s skin, making her much more comfortable and reducing the possibility of pressure sores.
Shirley says:
“Without my wheelchair life would be non-existent, but with it I have no need for a carer and I can keep doing the things I enjoy.
It’s all thanks to the staff here at the Wheelchair Service for their persistence in finding answers to my needs”.
People need to be referred to the Wheelchair Service by a health care professional such as a GP, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist.
The service is urging all patients to make sure they keep their appointments, or cancel them in good time so that the appointment slot can be given to someone else.
Karen Atkinson says,
“We would love to help more people like Shirley, who is so positive that she even came to her appointment today by train.
So please do let us know in good time if you can’t make your appointment so we can make the most our time and resources.”
