Dave, that struck a chord. We found it quite difficult to return local authority provided stuff too.   

In spite of the aggro there can be a certain (grim) humour involved. The local care supremo, feeling guilty over a delay to a stairlift, wangled a wheelchair, although my Mum said she didn't want it. Some mobility jobsworth then delivered said item while I was not present, leaving it where Mum would inevitably fall over it - and she did. Result - carer called emergency services (and, thank God, me), trip to A & E, 2 day stay in hospital. After my mother's death a few months later, the unused wheelchair sat in her house for over a month until the mobility van turned up and chitties and wheelchair were exchanged.

On balance though the services in the county/suburban areas of the UK are pretty good - the caring services, once they do grind into action, fall over themselves (perhaps an unfortunate phrase!) to help. I just hope it all carries on when us baby boomers start needing carers etc (at this rate in my case about a fortnight from now.....)