A CHARITY has issued a warning that people with terminal illness or mobility issues are "scrabbling around" for NHS wheelchairs.

The report by British Red Cross shows people dealing with a range of mobility issues struggle to get the help they need.

From 4,000 people surveyed across the UK, 8.1 per cent had medical or social care needs that could have been helped by borrowing a wheelchair or mobility aid for a short period.

However, just 1.1 per cent received the help they needed.

Reasons for this gap in care are varied, ranging from lack of information about services, stigma around wheelchair use, and the "postcode lottery" for those trying to get a short-term wheelchair or mobility aid.

Mike Adamson, British Red Cross chief executive, said: “It is unacceptable that people with injuries, social care needs or even those with terminal illnesses find themselves scrabbling around to get something so basic.

“Most people have no idea that this issue exists until they are in need of a wheelchair for themselves or a family member. Worryingly, our research shows that often people aren’t even offered the option of borrowing a wheelchair ... Providing short-term wheelchair loans should be a no-brainer – they reduce recovery time, boost independence and would ultimately save money for both the NHS and social care.”