This initiative aligns with new regulations for wheelchairs and Vehicles for People with Disabilities (VPH), which can be fully covered by Health Insurance under certain conditions since December 1, 2025.
The consultation, held at the Day Hospital, will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team including a Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine doctor and an occupational therapist. The goal is a comprehensive, personalized assessment of each patient's needs, considering their functional status, living environment, and personal goals, to ensure the most suitable equipment is chosen and its daily use is safe.
The process includes an approximately one-hour needs assessment consultation, trials of adapted equipment, and a validation consultation a few weeks later. This local service aims to reduce the need for travel to facilities outside the Haut-Béarn region.
Consultations will be held every other Friday starting October 16, 2026. For further information, healthcare professionals and patients can contact the Oloron-Sainte-Marie Hospital Center.
