Self-Propel Wheelchair - comfortable, cost-effective mobility with practical, everyday features.
- 24-Inch Rear Wheels for User Self-Propulsion - the defining feature of a self-propelling wheelchair is the large-diameter rear wheel that the user can reach and grasp to drive the chair independently; the 24-inch rear wheel diameter places the wheel's propulsion rim within easy reach of the seated user's hands, allowing them to push the rim forward to move the chair and apply reverse pressure to slow or stop; this independence from carer-push enables the user to travel at their own pace, change direction, and stop when they choose, which is a fundamental mobility and dignity benefit that transit wheelchairs with smaller rear wheels cannot provide.
- Steel Frame with Fire-Retardant Upholstery - Puncture-Proof PU Tyres - the steel frame provides structural durability for daily use in care environments; the 18-inch seat with black fire-retardant upholstery meets care home and hospital fire safety requirements under BS 5852 for seating materials; the PU (polyurethane) tyres are solid puncture-proof tyres that eliminate the maintenance requirement of pneumatic tyres and the risk of flat tyres during use; solid tyres provide a firmer ride than pneumatic but require no inflation and will not deflate unexpectedly.
- Swing-Away Footrests, Detachable Armrests, and Folding Backrest - the swing-away footrests pivot outward to allow close front access when the user is transferring in or out of the wheelchair; the detachable full-length padded armrests can be removed to allow lateral transfer from a bed or hoist directly onto the wheelchair seat without lifting the user over an armrest; the folding backrest reduces the wheelchair's depth for transport in a car boot or storage in a care home corridor; combined, these features reduce the physical effort and carer assistance required for transfers and transport.
- 110kg Max Weight - Anti-Wheelie Bar Option - 16.5kg - NCL-HMS300B - maximum user weight 110kg; heel support strap included; optional anti-wheelie bars for users at risk of tipping backward during self-propulsion on gradients; overall dimensions 1030 x 650 x 960mm; folded width 300mm; seat 460 x 410mm; seat height 500mm; net weight 16.5kg; product code NCL-HMS300B.
Self-Propel Wheelchair - 24-Inch Wheels - 110kg - Steel Frame - Fire-Retardant - PU Tyres - NCL-HMS300B
The Self-Propel Wheelchair provides user-independent mobility through 24-inch rear wheels within reach for self-propulsion, with an 18-inch steel-frame seat, fire-retardant upholstery, puncture-proof PU tyres, swing-away footrests, detachable padded armrests, and a folding backrest. Optional anti-wheelie bars for gradient safety. Maximum user weight 110kg. Dimensions: 1030 x 650 x 960mm overall; 300mm folded width. Net weight: 16.5kg. NCL-HMS300B.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum User Weight | 110kg |
| Seat Width | 460mm (18-inch nominal) |
| Seat Depth | 410mm |
| Seat Height from Floor | 500mm |
| Back Height | 450mm |
| Overall Dimensions | 1030mm (L) x 650mm (W) x 960mm (H) |
| Folded Width | 300mm |
| Rear Wheel Diameter | 24-inch (self-propulsion rim) |
| Front Wheel Diameter | 8-inch |
| Tyres | PU solid - puncture-proof |
| Net Weight | 16.5kg |
| Upholstery | Black fire-retardant (BS 5852) |
| Reference | NCL-HMS300B |
Regulatory Compliance
The Self-Propel Wheelchair is a mobility medical device. The fire-retardant upholstery meets BS 5852 requirements for seating in institutional settings. Where the wheelchair is provided by a care setting for use by a resident, PUWER 1998 applies, requiring the chair to be suitable for the resident's weight and dimensions, and staff to be trained in transfer technique using the specific chair. NICE NG45 (falls prevention) requires falls risk assessment to be conducted before a resident with a falls history is issued a self-propelling wheelchair, as propulsion errors on gradients can cause tipping. Anti-wheelie bars must be fitted for residents assessed as tipping risks. CQC Regulation 12 compliance requires an equipment record including the product code and the resident's weight confirmation against the 110kg maximum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the clinical assessment needed before issuing a self-propelling wheelchair to a care home resident?
Before a self-propelling wheelchair is issued, the occupational therapist must assess: the resident's upper limb strength and hand grip - the resident must have sufficient strength in at least one arm to drive the rear wheel rim repeatedly without fatigue that would leave them stranded; upper limb range of motion - the resident must be able to reach the rear wheel propulsion rim comfortably from the seated position; cognitive capacity for safe independent navigation - the resident must be able to judge distances, obstacles, and gradients, avoid collisions, and apply the wheel brakes appropriately; sitting balance - the resident must maintain a stable seated position without lateral tipping during propulsion; and the care environment's suitability for wheelchair self-propulsion, including floor surfaces, doorway widths, gradient thresholds, and lift access. If the resident cannot propel independently but can use the chair for seated transport with carer push, a transit wheelchair with smaller rear wheels (ID 279) is more appropriate and lighter to manoeuvre; if the resident has sufficient strength in one arm only, one-arm drive wheelchair models with a specific single-lever propulsion mechanism may be assessed. The assessment outcome and the specific chair parameters (seat width, wheel configuration) must be documented in the care plan and equipment record.
Why are solid PU tyres used rather than pneumatic tyres, and is there any clinical trade-off?
Solid PU (polyurethane) tyres are used in care home wheelchairs because they eliminate two significant operational problems with pneumatic (air-filled) tyres: punctures and pressure maintenance. A pneumatic tyre that deflates during a resident's independent wheelchair use creates an immediate mobility risk - the chair becomes harder to propel and can handle asymmetrically, potentially causing the resident to lose directional control; in a care home context, a resident stranded in a corridor with a flat tyre may be unable to call for help. Pressure maintenance in pneumatic tyres requires regular checks and inflation, which is a maintenance burden that care settings may not reliably perform across a large wheelchair fleet. Solid PU tyres require no maintenance, will not deflate under any circumstances, and provide a predictable ride quality throughout the chair's service life. The clinical trade-off is ride comfort: a solid tyre transmits more vibration to the user over uneven surfaces than a pneumatic tyre would, which can cause discomfort for residents with joint pain or pressure sensitivity on prolonged journeys over rough outdoor surfaces. For care home use on smooth indoor floors with occasional outdoor use on tarmac or concrete, the solid tyre's maintenance-free reliability generally outweighs the comfort advantage of pneumatic tyres; for extensive outdoor use over varied terrain, pneumatic tyres may be preferable and should be discussed with the prescribing occupational therapist.
NCL-HMS300B
- 24-Inch Rear Wheels for User Self-Propulsion - the defining feature of a self-propelling wheelchair is the large-diameter rear wheel that the user can reach and grasp to drive the chair independently; the 24-inch rear wheel diameter places the wheel's propulsion rim within easy reach of the seated user's hands, allowing them to push the rim forward to move the chair and apply reverse pressure to slow or stop; this independence from carer-push enables the user to travel at their own pace, change direction, and stop when they choose, which is a fundamental mobility and dignity benefit that transit wheelchairs with smaller rear wheels cannot provide.
- Steel Frame with Fire-Retardant Upholstery - Puncture-Proof PU Tyres - the steel frame provides structural durability for daily use in care environments; the 18-inch seat with black fire-retardant upholstery meets care home and hospital fire safety requirements under BS 5852 for seating materials; the PU (polyurethane) tyres are solid puncture-proof tyres that eliminate the maintenance requirement of pneumatic tyres and the risk of flat tyres during use; solid tyres provide a firmer ride than pneumatic but require no inflation and will not deflate unexpectedly.
- Swing-Away Footrests, Detachable Armrests, and Folding Backrest - the swing-away footrests pivot outward to allow close front access when the user is transferring in or out of the wheelchair; the detachable full-length padded armrests can be removed to allow lateral transfer from a bed or hoist directly onto the wheelchair seat without lifting the user over an armrest; the folding backrest reduces the wheelchair's depth for transport in a car boot or storage in a care home corridor; combined, these features reduce the physical effort and carer assistance required for transfers and transport.
- 110kg Max Weight - Anti-Wheelie Bar Option - 16.5kg - NCL-HMS300B - maximum user weight 110kg; heel support strap included; optional anti-wheelie bars for users at risk of tipping backward during self-propulsion on gradients; overall dimensions 1030 x 650 x 960mm; folded width 300mm; seat 460 x 410mm; seat height 500mm; net weight 16.5kg; product code NCL-HMS300B.