PATIENTS and carers across the district are being urged to have their say on planned changes to NHS wheelchair and orthotics services.

It is proposed to introduce referral criteria for the services, provided by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

Now NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is encouraging people to give their views.

Health chiefs say the aim of the changes is to speed-up services for patients with high and complex needs, giving them quicker access to assessments and their prescribed equipment.

Latest figures show that around 6,000 people use the orthotics service.

It provides aids ranging from insoles, braces, splints, callipers and special footwear to spinal jackets and helmets.

More than 2,000 people use the wheelchair service.

Dr James Thomas, clinical chairman of NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG, said demand for the services was increasing every year.

He added: “We want to make the services more responsive so that people with the most complex and urgent needs are seen as quickly as possible.

“We know that the needs of some people referred to the services could have been met more appropriately by a referral for example to a physiotherapist or podiatrist, whereas some could have bought a readily-available aid.

“As part of the proposed changes, the CCG is producing guidance on how to make the best choice.

“The referral criteria will help GPs and other clinicians to assess which services are best for patients.

“That in turn will reduce waiting times for people with more-complex health issues who need a specialist clinical assessment.”

In 2017, the CCG worked with Keighley-based Healthwatch Bradford and District on an initiative labelled The Big Conversation, designed to understand public expectation and views regarding the future of health and social care.

Dr Thomas said an important theme which emerged from the work was that people wanted to see better value for money in the NHS. It was felt more needed to be done to manage people’s expectations of what could be provided and what people may arrange and buy for themselves.

People can give their views online by completing a survey at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/wheelchairorthotic.

Alternatively, e-mail consultation@bradford.nhs.uk or write to Wheelchair and Orthotics Engagement, Scorex House, 1 Bolton Road, Bradford BD1 4AS.

Anyone needing help completing the survey should call the engagement team on 01274 237290.

The deadline for comments is May 10.