More than a thousand disabled children across the UK are waiting for wheelchairs and mobility equipment that could transform their lives, Whizz Kidz say.
The BBC reported that the charity, which helps wheelchair users up to 25 years old, has been forced to close its specialist wheelchairs waitlist for the first time in its 35-year history.
They say escalating costs and squeezed NHS budgets are creating a “huge demand” for their service, leading to long delays.
The BBC said NHS England responded that it is working with local healthcare providers to deliver better services and NHS Scotland says it’s committed to ensuring vital services were protected.
Whizz Kidz recorded a thousand children waiting for equipment when it decided to close the waitlist, but says many more are missing out.
The BBC said it asked the NHS in each part of the UK for their response.
The Department for Health Northern Ireland said by the end of August, the regional service had delivered 87% of all wheelchair categories within 13 weeks.
NHS England told the BBC they offer personal wheelchair budgets for people to pick a wheelchair that meets their individual needs, adding it was working to deliver” better services that improve access and experiences for wheelchair users”.
In Scotland, the BBC quoted a spokesperson as saying the government was committed to ensuring vital services were protected and eligibility criteria for the provision of children’s wheelchairs has remained unchanged since 2014.
The BBC said it is awaiting a response from the Welsh government.