Disabled people in Dorset are being forced to wait more than four months for a wheelchair from the NHS, figures reveal.

Charities have warned that substantial gaps in provision across England are leaving many disabled people without the wheelchairs they need, affecting their independence and even leaving them in pain or discomfort.

Clinical Commissioning Groups in England are required to deliver wheelchairs to patients within 18 weeks of a referral, with NHS guidance stressing the “paramount importance” of the timescale from referral to delivery. But NHS figures show that 36 people waited longer than the 18-week window in the NHS Dorset CCG area between April and June. In total, 765 had a wheelchair or other equipment prescribed and delivered to them in that time, meaning the CCG had a success rate of just 95%.

Of the 184 CCGs across England that submitted figures, just 10 had a 100% hit rate for delivering within the target window, with more than 5,300 patients waiting longer than 18 weeks.

Rates varied significantly across the country, with the target being missed in as many as 71% of cases in Surrey Heath, the worst-performing area.

Rob Burley, from charity Muscular Dystrophy UK, said substantial gaps in services across the country were leaving disabled people without the basic equipment they need.

He said: “Wheelchairs are not a luxury, and having access to suitable equipment is vital.

“Too often, we hear stories from people who cannot leave their homes or are forced to fund expensive wheelchairs themselves.

“We must see an improvement in services, both nationally and locally.”

Patients with a greater need face longer waits in Dorset.

During the same three-month period, 119 adult patients were assessed as having high needs after being referred to wheelchair services, meaning they were fully dependent on a chair for all their mobility needs.

But 55% of them had to wait longer than eight weeks to be assessed, compared to 15% for those with a low or medium need.

Warren Kirwan, head of communications at disability charity Scope, said: “Having the right wheelchair can be life-changing for disabled people, but many face an unfair postcode lottery to get one which meets their needs.

“Too many disabled people only get the most basic of chairs without the necessary adaptations, which can affect their independence and leave them in pain or discomfort.

A spokeswoman for NHS England said: “While around 85% of children and adults are getting a wheelchair within the 18 week target, some people may have complex conditions and may wait longer for specialist equipment.”

Gary Billen, Head of Learning Disability, Wheelchair and Vocational Services for Dorset HealthCare, said: “We strive to provide the highest quality service for wheelchair users in Dorset and, while our waiting times compare well to the national picture, we are continuously working to improve. Many of the wheelchairs we provide are highly specialist chairs and will be modified to meet an individual’s complex needs. Stock availability, increasing demand and ensuring the right bespoke wheelchair is provided first time may, on occasions, lead to longer waiting times. Over the last year there have been some manufacturing faults that have further contributed to stock availability and we have worked with suppliers to address these issues.”

“Overall, delivering 95% of chairs within the 18 week period compares well to elsewhere in the country and our clinicians are dedicated to providing the highest quality service. We are continuously working with our suppliers to ensure everyone receives their wheelchair within at least that 18 week timeframe.”