Power Assisted Wheelchair Guide for Carers in the UK

A power assisted wheelchair is a manual wheelchair with a battery motor that helps do the pushing. For carers, it can make hills, ramps and longer trips much less tiring. For wheelchair users who push themselves, some systems add power to each push. This guide explains the types available in the UK, what to look for, how to stay safe, and where to get help with costs.

Key points

• Power assistance reduces the strain of pushing, especially on slopes and longer distances.
• There are two main kinds: attendant (carer) controlled systems, and user-controlled systems for people who push themselves.
• Many systems can be fitted to an existing manual wheelchair. Check that the system is approved for your chair.
• If you have an NHS chair, ask your wheelchair service before adding anything to it.
• If the wheelchair user is disabled, power packs designed for wheelchairs, and their repair, can be bought without VAT.

How power assistance works

A battery powers one or more small motors that help move the wheelchair. The design depends on who is in control.

• Attendant-controlled power packs: a motor unit is fitted under or behind the chair. The carer controls speed and direction from a control on the push handles. The carer walks behind and steers, but the motor does most of the pushing and helps with braking on slopes.
• Power-assist wheels: the normal rear wheels are swapped for wheels with motors in the hub. Sensors detect each push on the rim and add extra power.
• Add-on drive units: a single motorised wheel or unit clips to the chair to give the user a push.
• Clip-on front units: a powered front wheel turns a manual chair into something closer to a small scooter, for user control outdoors.

For carers, the attendant-controlled type is the most common choice.

Key features to consider

1. Speed control: the carer should be able to set a comfortable walking pace.
2. Braking on slopes: check how the system controls the chair going downhill.
3. Battery range: compare the maker's range, and remember hills, cold weather and heavier users reduce it.
4. Weight: check the weight of the motor unit and battery, and how easy they are to remove for car journeys.
5. Controls: comfortable handles and simple controls that suit the carer's hands.
6. Compatibility: confirm the system is approved to fit your make and model of wheelchair.
7. Kerb climbing and grip: some units cope better with wet grass, gravel and kerbs than others.

Choosing equipment that is safe and suitable is part of looking after someone well. Read more about duty of care in health and social care.

Benefits for carers and wheelchair users

Pushing a wheelchair up a ramp or a hill puts a lot of strain on a carer's back, shoulders and wrists. Power assistance takes much of that load away. This can mean:

• longer trips out, such as to the park, the shops or to visit friends
• less worry about hills and slopes
• an older partner or relative may be able to keep pushing for longer
• for self-propelling users, less tiredness and strain on the shoulders

Getting out and about helps people stay connected. See our guide to activities for wheelchair users. If you care for someone, our guide for family and carers explains the support available to you.

How to choose a system

We do not rank brands here. Several makers sell power-assist systems in the UK. When comparing them:

Question to ask	Why it matters
Who will control it?	Carer-controlled and user-controlled systems are different products
Will it fit our wheelchair?	Not every system fits every chair
How far will it go on one charge?	Make sure it covers your usual trips with some to spare
How heavy are the parts?	Someone has to lift them into the car
Can we try it first?	A home or outdoor demonstration shows how it handles on your routes
Who services and repairs it?	Local support matters if it breaks down

Safety

Before each trip, check the tyres, brakes and battery level. Make sure the wheelchair user is sitting well and wearing a lap belt if one is fitted.

• Slow down for corners, slopes and uneven ground.
• Take extra care going down kerbs and steep ramps. Follow the maker's advice.
• Keep electrical parts dry where possible.
• Charge the battery indoors on a hard surface in a well-ventilated room, using only the charger supplied. Don't cover the charger, as it gets warm.
• Switch the charger off at the mains before connecting or disconnecting it.

Maintenance

Follow the maker's service schedule. A simple routine looks like this:

Task	How often	Why
Charge the battery	After use, as the maker advises	So you are not caught out with a flat battery
Check tyres	Regularly	Soft tyres make pushing harder and drain the battery
Test controls and brakes	Before each trip	Safety
Clean the chair and unit	As needed	Dirt and grit wear moving parts

For more on charging, see our guide to wheelchair battery care.

Costs and funding

Prices vary depending on the system, so get quotes from several UK suppliers. Ways to reduce the cost:

• NHS wheelchair service: ask a GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or hospital staff to refer you for an assessment. In some areas you can refer yourself.
• Personal wheelchair budget (England): if you meet your local service's criteria and need a new wheelchair, you have a legal right to a personal wheelchair budget. It can be used with an independent supplier, and you can add your own money. If extras are paid for separately, their repair may not be covered by the NHS, so check the agreement.
• VAT relief: wheelchairs are on HMRC's list of goods that can be sold VAT-free to an eligible disabled person. Parts and accessories designed solely for use with a qualifying wheelchair also qualify, as do repairs and maintenance. The relief depends on the wheelchair user being disabled or having a long-term illness, not on the carer.
• Motability Scheme: some people can lease a powered wheelchair using a qualifying mobility allowance, such as the enhanced rate mobility part of PIP. Attendance Allowance does not qualify.
• Charity grants: may help if the council or NHS cannot.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add power assistance to our existing wheelchair?

Often, yes. Many power packs and power-assist wheels are designed to fit a range of manual chairs. Check with the supplier that the system is approved for your model. If the chair belongs to the NHS, ask the wheelchair service first.

How long does it take to get used to a power-assisted wheelchair?

Most carers find the controls simple, but practise somewhere quiet and flat first. Then try slopes and kerbs before you head out on a longer trip. Ask the supplier to show you how to use it.

Can we use a power-assisted wheelchair on trains?

Many trains have wheelchair spaces. Through Passenger Assist, any train company can arrange help for your whole journey. Train companies accept requests up to 2 hours before you travel, but it is best to book as far ahead as you can. You can also turn up and go and ask staff for help. Call 0800 022 3720 to book. For buses, check with the local operator.

What if the battery runs out while we're out?

Check the battery before you leave, plan routes within the chair's range, and ask the supplier whether a spare battery is available.

Can children operate a carer-controlled power pack?

These systems are designed for adult carers. Follow the maker's guidance on who can use them.

Sources

• Walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility scooters (NHS)
• Personal wheelchair budgets (NHS England)
• Personal wheelchair budgets: frequently asked questions (NHS England)
• VAT Notice 701/7: VAT reliefs for disabled and older people (HMRC, GOV.UK)
• Financial help if you're disabled: VAT relief for disabled people (GOV.UK)
• Am I eligible to join the Scheme? (Motability Scheme)
• Can I join the Scheme on Attendance Allowance? (Motability Scheme)
• Passenger Assist (National Rail)
• Powered wheelchair battery care guide (Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust)
• Household gadgets and equipment to make life easier (NHS)