AJM Healthcare has opened a new wheelchair service in Dudley after securing a contract with NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB). The service, which began operating at the start of October, provides a single point of access for patients registered with a Dudley GP who require a wheelchair.
Service details and eligibility
The new service supports both adults and children who need mobility equipment for medical reasons. Eligible patients will receive assessments from a multidisciplinary team before being provided with suitable equipment. The service also includes ongoing maintenance, repairs and reassessments as patients’ needs change.
It will serve an area with almost 325,000 residents, including more than 66,500 people aged 65 and over and nearly 58,000 children under 15. Demand for wheelchair services in Dudley has remained high, with more than 1,000 referrals recorded between 2022/23 and 2024/25.
Local expertise and manufacturing link
AJM Healthcare already operates in the Midlands through Birmingham-based Active Design, which manufactures specialist seating and mobility equipment. This local presence is expected to support the delivery of the service.
Mat Pickering, chief executive of AJM Healthcare, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Dudley wheelchair service contract by NHS Black Country ICB and to welcome our first service users through the door.
Focus on quick assessments and maintenance
“A wheelchair that fits a person’s needs is often what makes it possible for them to get to school or work, see friends and family and live independently.
“Our focus in Dudley is on getting people assessed quickly, keeping their equipment in good working order, and working closely with local NHS partners so that no one is left waiting longer than they need to.”
The service aims to reduce waiting times for wheelchair users in the area, with a multidisciplinary team conducting assessments and providing equipment that meets individual needs. Ongoing maintenance and repairs are also covered, ensuring that equipment remains functional as patients’ circumstances evolve.
