Parliamentarians from the newly formed All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Access to Disability Equipment have launched a new call for evidence, aiming to identify the key barriers preventing people with disabilities from accessing the medical equipment they need.
Running for four weeks, the call for evidence is open from today (23rd July). Professionals, including medical equipment suppliers and healthcare professionals, as well as individuals with disabilities, their families and their carers, are invited to respond.
Access to disability equipment remains a major challenge across the UK
The children’s disability charity Newlife, for instance, estimates that only two in five families with disabled children have access to all the specialist medical equipment they need, while nearly half of local services have reduced their equipment budgets in the past year alone.
This is the APPG’s first inquiry since it was formed in May 2025, led by Daniel Francis, the Labour MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford and the APPG Chair. He said
“For someone with a disability, access to medical equipment is a lifeline. It enables independent living and brings dignity, opportunity, and freedom. So it is deeply upsetting that so many people in the UK can’t get the equipment they need.
“Everyone should have access to the right equipment at the right time. But for this to happen, we must truly understand the root causes of these prevailing barriers to access impacting so many families. This means hearing directly from those impacted, including the carers, professionals, and equipment suppliers all working to make the provision of essential medical equipment more efficient, effective, faster and fairer for all those who depend on it.”
Access to essential medical and disability equipment remains a challenge for many disabled individuals, particularly children and young people. Families frequently experience delays, linked in part to staff shortages, limited training opportunities, and variations in local provision. The process can be further complicated by funding pressures and a lack of coordination between national, regional and local services and commissioning practices. These challenges can significantly negatively impact the daily lives of patients and their families.
Through this call for evidence, Parliamentarians are calling for ideas, input and the experiences of anyone who is involved in the community care sector or has needed to access it.
The inquiry’s findings will feed into recommendations made by the APPG, intended to drive progress toward a more responsive and person-centred system.
Stephen Morgan, Director of Charitable Services at the children’s disability charity Newlife, said:
“Newlife’s Fight for our Future campaign has highlighted the devastating impact that delays and barriers to equipment have on children with disabilities and their families. From missed milestones to family stress and lost independence, the consequences are real and urgent.
“We warmly welcome this first inquiry from the APPG on Access to Disability Equipment. It is inspiring to see parliamentarians taking meaningful action to listen and drive change on an issue that affects so many lives.
“We’ll be encouraging families to share their stories and experiences with the inquiry, because together, we have the power to help shape a future where every child and adult with a disability gets the equipment they need, when they need it, to thrive.”
David Stockdale, Chief Executive Officer of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), said:
“We welcome the APPG’s new inquiry into access to community equipment, which is vital for supporting independence, wellbeing, and quality of life for disabled people of all ages.
“Medical equipment suppliers are committed to ensuring people get the safe, high-quality products they need in a timely way, but the current system too often faces fragmented commissioning, funding pressures, and barriers to innovation.
“We thank Daniel Francis MP and the APPG for dedicating their time and energy to this critically important issue. We look forward to contributing evidence and working together toward a more sustainable, equitable, and person-centred system.”
The call for evidence will run until the 22nd August 2025. Members of the public who wish to contribute may do so by completing this short survey.