APPG’s AGM and meeting on the children’s equipment crisis

Yesterday, the APPG for Access to Disability Equipment held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), where Daniel Francis MP was re-elected as Chair, alongside Josh Newbury MP, Tessa Munt MP, and Lord Craig Mackinlay as Vice Chairs. Following the AGM, the APPG met to discuss the growing crisis in access to disability equipment for children.

We were pleased to hear from Katie Fisher and Emily Thomas from Children's Commissioner for England, Alice and Emily from the Whizz Kidz Youth Board, Ceara Chamberlin from Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children, and Larissa, a member of Newlife's Family Champions Network, who shared expert insights and lived experience with members.

The discussion explored the findings of the Children's Commissioner's recent report, Children Waiting to Leave Hospital, alongside Whizz Kidz' newly published report, Mobility Matters. Members heard how delays in accessing essential equipment are leaving children in hospital longer than necessary, restricting access to education and community life, and placing increasing pressure on families and charities.

Key issues raised included:
🟩 Significant postcode variation in wheelchair services and commissioning, leading to unequal access to appropriate equipment.

🟩 Delays to hospital discharge caused by fragmented care packages, funding disputes and a lack of timely access to specialist equipment.

🟩 The growing reliance on charities to provide equipment that should be available through statutory services, alongside powerful testimony from families navigating lengthy delays and unsuitable provision.