A new independent media outlet, London Centric, has recently broken a story about an NHS trust charging patients for wheelchair hire, fueling concerns about the creeping privatisation of healthcare.
London Centric’s Scoop on NHS Practices
Founded by former Guardian and Buzzfeed journalist Jim Waterson, London Centric focuses exclusively on London-centric stories. Despite some past differences with outlets like The Canary, London Centric is already making waves, covering stories that larger media outlets might overlook.
One such example involves King’s College Hospital in Lambeth. Waterson revealed that, rather than offering hospital-owned wheelchairs, the hospital has implemented a Boris Bike-style system operated by Wheelshare, a private healthcare company. While the first four hours of wheelchair use are free, patients are charged £2 per hour afterward, with the cost automatically deducted from their credit cards.
King’s College Hospital is notorious for its long A&E waiting times—up to 12 hours in some cases. This means that vulnerable and disabled patients, already facing significant barriers, are now being asked to pay for essential mobility support while they wait for care.
The Question of NHS Privatisation
This wheelchair hire system is seen by critics as another example of how privatisation is creeping into the NHS, despite claims to the contrary. Some still maintain that privatisation fears are exaggerated—but stories like this suggest otherwise.
Corporate Media’s Take
Interestingly, the Telegraph also covered Waterson’s story, though it failed to link back to his original piece, depriving him of deserved recognition. They did, however, publish King’s College Hospital’s official response. The hospital confirmed that wheelchair access is free for four hours, with a £2 hourly charge after that. They claimed the system ensures wheelchair availability for all patients and noted that those experiencing long waits can request a refund directly from Wheelshare.
London Centric, however, found that there were no visible advertisements for the refund process, leaving patients in the dark about how to reclaim their money.
Privatisation by Stealth?
Charging patients for wheelchairs is viewed by many as a symptom of the gradual erosion of free healthcare in the UK. It follows a series of changes, such as the introduction of fees for hospital television services in 2004 and the phasing out of free prescriptions and eye tests in earlier decades.
The situation is particularly dire for disabled individuals, who already face systemic challenges in accessing healthcare. As one person told London Centric, “There’s literally a wheelchair shortage in a hospital, and now you’ll have to pay for it too.”
While it remains to be seen whether these charges violate the Equality Act 2010, many believe they represent a broader trend of NHS managers turning to privatisation after years of underfunding. With another trust in London reportedly adopting similar measures, wheelchair charges may become more common in the future.
