--- title: New innovation group aims to improve wheelchair provision for users across England description: The Wheelchair Alliance has launched a Special Innovation Group to help improve access to innovation to benefit wheelchair provision for wheelchair users image: https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hubfs/Simon%20Ball%2c%20clinical%20engagement%20and%20implementation%20manager%2c%20one%20of%20the%20representatives%20from%20the%20NHS%20supply%20chain-1.jpg --- [Skip to Content](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/new-innovation-group-aims-to-improve-wheelchair-provision-for-users-across-england#body) [Donate](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-donate) [![Wheelchair Alliance Logo](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance%20Logo%20Landscape-1.webp?width=750&height=227&name=Wheelchair%20Alliance%20Logo%20Landscape-1.webp "Wheelchair Alliance Logo")](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk) [Become a Member](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-wheelchair-users-membership-sign-up) [![Wheelchair Alliance Logo](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance%20Logo%20Landscape-1.webp?width=750&height=227&name=Wheelchair%20Alliance%20Logo%20Landscape-1.webp "Wheelchair Alliance Logo")](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk) Menu - [HOME](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk) - THE ALLIANCE - [THE WHEELCHAIR COLLECTIVE](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchaircollective) - [SUPPORTERS](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-partners) - [ABOUT US](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-about-us) - [REPORTS](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-reports) - [ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/all-partyparliamentarygroup) - [INNOVATION SIG](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/innovation-special-interest-group) - [CONTACT](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-contact) - [ACADEMY](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/academy) - [NEWS](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog) - [Become a Member](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-wheelchair-users-membership-sign-up) - [Donate](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-donate) [Back to blog](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog) # New innovation group aims to improve wheelchair provision for users across England 2 min read • Oct 16, 2024, 8:41:38 AM • Written by: The Wheelchair Alliance ![](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hubfs/Simon%20Ball%2c%20clinical%20engagement%20and%20implementation%20manager%2c%20one%20of%20the%20representatives%20from%20the%20NHS%20supply%20chain-1.jpg) Improving access to innovation in all its guises that will benefit wheelchair provision for wheelchair users across England is the aim of a Special Innovation Group which has been launched by the [Wheelchair Alliance](https://wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/).   Westminster was the venue for the first meeting of the group which was hosted by the Alliance’s President, The[Baroness Grey-Thompson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanni-grey-thompson-9a6b84a6/), bringing together manufacturers, the NHS Supply Chain and representatives from other organisations to discuss what innovation means and how it can be achieved.   The discussion was far-reaching and considered education, accurate data, budgets, equipment, simplification and a host of other innovative thoughts. The next step will be to produce a workplan to deliver change.   The Wheelchair Alliance was launched in 2015 to champion the needs of wheelchair users. Recent research carried out by the Alliance shows that Government investment in wheelchair provision remains low, while access to the 118 regional wheelchair services has been described as a ‘postcode lottery’.    [Nick Goldup](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-goldup-86a6743/), chief operating officer and chair of the Wheelchair Alliance said it was vital for all parties to work together to ensure anyone who needs access to a wheelchair can get one as quickly as possible.   He said: “There are major inequalities in the service at present and that has to change. It is essential that people are able to access the wheelchair they need when they need it.   “This meeting was the first step in bringing all the key parties together to discuss the way forward. It was a very positive meeting, which touched on speed of delivery and plans to ensure the highest possible training for professionals.   “The next step will be for us to create a strategy and roadmap which will guide our work in the future.” #### Reach the World. Giving Made Easy with Impact. [Get Started](https://www.example.com) ###### The Wheelchair Alliance Our Latest ##### Related Articles ![](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Nick%20Goldup%2c%20CEO%20Wheelchair%20Alliance.jpg?width=700&name=Nick%20Goldup,%20CEO%20Wheelchair%20Alliance.jpg) ### [Wheelchair Alliance launches three-year strategy focused on championing needs of wheelchair users](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/wheelchair-alliance-launches-three-year-strategy-focused-on-championing-needs-of-wheelchair-users) ![](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Wheelchair%20Alliance_TWC_launch.jpg?width=700&name=Wheelchair%20Alliance_TWC_launch.jpg) ### [Wheelchair users sought to create national council that will shape the future of wheelchair provision in the UK](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/wheelchair-users-sought-to-create-national-council-that-will-shape-the-future-of-wheelchair-provision-in-the-uk) ![](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/PICTUR~1.png?width=700&name=PICTUR~1.png) ### [Wheelchair Alliance appoints members of UK’s first national advisory network of wheelchair users](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog/wheelchair-alliance-appoints-members-of-uks-first-national-advisory-network-of-wheelchair-users) - [Home](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/home) - [Wheelchair Users](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-wheelchair-users) - [Commissioners & Providers](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-service-commissioners-providers) - [The Alliance](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-about-us) - [Wheelchair Charter](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-charter) - [Reports](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-reports) - [FAQ's](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-main-faq) - [Supporters](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-partners) - [News](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-contact) - [Advertise With Us](https://www.wheelchair-alliance.co.uk/wheelchair-alliance-contact) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/WheelchairAlliance) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wheelchair-alliance/) **Wheelchair Alliance Community Interest Company | Registered number: 13761260** In November 2021, the Wheelchair Alliance became a Community Interest Company. 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