13 October 2011
MP for Leeds North West and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Paediatric Mobility Reform, Greg Mulholland, today met with Prime Minister David Cameron, with Whizz-Kidz Ambassadors Katy Mobbs and George Fielding (both 17) and Chief Executive Ruth Owen.
The meeting was to discuss provision for mobility equipment for young disabled people, and came about following Mr Mullolland raising the subject during Prime Ministers Questions earlier in the year.
At the start of the Summer, the APPG launched a report – sponsored by Whizz-Kidz – making the case for wheelchair reform, entitled "My Wheelchair is My Shoes". The report contained evidence from young wheelchair users, health specialists, and paediatric therapists.
Mr Mulholland commented:
"I am delighted that the Prime Minister has shown interest in this issue and agreed to meet with me and ambassadors from Whizz-Kidz, to discuss wheelchair provision for young people.
"Whizz Kidz has demonstrated how new innovative methods can ensure children are supplied with the wheelchairs they need, whilst at the same time saving money for local NHS authorities. This has proven successful in a number of areas, including Tower Hamlets in London, where Whizz-Kidz worked in partnership with the NHS, delivering a much enhanced service in the borough."
Chief Executive of Whizz-Kidz Ruth Owen said:
"We were extremely grateful to meet the Prime Minister today to discuss our experience of providing more effective and appropriate mobility equipment for young disabled people, whilst demonstrably saving funds for the NHS. We thank Greg Mulholland MP for arranging the meeting".