Disabled people are barred from using parts of the rail network because of poor facilities, Ministers have been warned.
Trains which are unsuitable for wheelchairs, a lack of Braille timetables and antiquated platform designs are excluding people with disabilities, said MP Martin Linton (Lab Battersea).
He urged the Government to ensure railways were "accessible for all".
Go to the London Echo website to read the full article.
The new lift is open to the public from today, six weeks late.
Plymouth City Council blamed 'unforeseen and unresolved technical difficulties' for its failure to open the lift in time for the start of the pool's summer season.
Disabled swimmers have waited six years for permanent access to be installed at the 1933 Art Deco lido – and said earlier this month that they were not altogether surprised by the delay.
Visit http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk for the full article.
Elderly people have paid out thousands of pounds after being cold-called by an organisation claiming to be linked to social and health services in Stoke-on-Trent.
Representatives are even taking pensioners directly to the bank as they look to make a sale.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Trading Standards department has been receiving up to three complaints a day about the company and its "aggressive" sales practices since becoming aware of the problem two weeks ago.
And it has now teamed up with Staffordshire Police and NHS North Staffordshire to warn residents they could be paying over the odds for unnecessary products.
An investigation has now been launched into the company – which has not been named at this stage by the authorities – and its practices.
Trading Standards advice manager Val Edmonds said: "We think they are moving about, but they are targeting Stoke-on-Trent at the moment."
It is believed the firm, which is not local, moves from area to area, having obtained phone contact details for vulnerable people. Last week, calls were concentrated around Bucknall, but the problem has now spread city-wide.
After phone contact is made, the caller asks questions about benefits received, if the person is living alone and sometimes claims to be acting for Social Services. Residents are then being offered a mobility assessment and a sales visit is arranged.
During that appointment, an attempt is made sell expensive and unnecessary mobility products, including stair and bath lifts.
Ms Edmonds advised people never to give out personal information over the phone and said the proper authorities will always arrange a meeting.
She added: "If a contract is signed at home, the customer has seven days in which to change their mind and have their deposit refunded. But one person was told they must not cancel or the salesman would get into trouble. People are also being given the offer of going to the bank."
Derek Pamment, associate direct of operations at NHS North Staffordshire, urged residents not to agree to any visits from these companies.
He added: "NHS staff will always show their identification badge before entering a person's home and are happy to have their identity verified."
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said the force had received a number of calls about the company.
He said: "We are working with Trading Standards officers and urge anyone who is contacted by a company offering mobility products – even if they have made an appointment – not to allow them in.
"Residents should seek support from family or neighbours and, as always when anyone calls unexpectedly, keep the chain on. If you still need help, call the police immediately."
If you have recently received a similar phone call or visit from a mobility company, you can call Stoke-on-Trent Trading Standards on (01782) 232065 or Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards on 07773 792252. Staffordshire Police's non-emergency contact number is 0300 123 4455.
VAUGHAN, ONTARIO /PRAvenueNW/ -- PRISM MEDICAL LTD. (TSX-V: PM) ("Prism") today announced that it has completed the acquisition of a distributor of moving and handling products for the mobility impaired effective April 17, 2009. The acquisition cost was approximately $1.936 million which was satisfied by a cash payment of $1.086 million and a vendor take-back promissory note in the amount of $0.85 million. The note is payable in three equal annual installments together with interest at 8% over a term of three years. In addition to the purchase price, the vendors are entitled to an earn-out amount based on the performance of the acquired business over the next 5 years.
The distributor has been in operation for 12 years. It distributes a variety of non-mechanical safe patient handling and movement products. The products include ceiling lifts, floor lifts, tubs, beds and repositioning aids. Products are sold for use in institutions and homecare.
The acquisition is an arm’s length transaction. The former shareholders of the distributor have entered into employment contracts and will continue to be responsible for day-to-day operations.
Andrew A. Mclntyre, Chairman and CEO of Prism stated, "The acquisition marks another step in the strategic expansion of our geographic and institutional client base. In addition it will strengthen our management and sales team and is anticipated to be accretive to earnings in the current fiscal year."
Forward-looking Information
Certain statements in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. Such forwardlooking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
About Prism
Prism Medical Ltd. is a provider of durable medical equipment and related services to the mobility disadvantaged in Canada, the U.S.A. and the United Kingdom. While Prism's history dates back to 1996, Prism's subsidiaries and divisions have been servicing the mobility disadvantaged since the mid 1980s in their homes, long-term care facilities and acute care facilities. Prism includes Waverley Glen and ErgoSafe Products, North America's premier lifting & handling equipment and repositioning aid manufacturer with distribution across Canada and the U.S., Westholme and Care Free Lifting & Handling, leading distributors of moving and handling products in the UK, and Freeway Health Care, a UK-based manufacturer of ceiling hoists and shower chairs. Please visit http://www.prismmedicalltd.com for more information.
The Changing Places Consortium has launched a campaign on behalf of the thousands of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their carers, and the many other disabled people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
They need Changing Places toilets. These are toilets with enough space for disabled people and their carers, and the right equipment, including a height adjustable changing bench and a hoist.
There are almost no public Changing Places toilets in the UK. Providing these toilets in public places would make a dramatic difference to the lives of thousands of people who desperately need these facilities. Sometimes you just need to change one thing to open up a world of possibility.
The time for change is NOW.
For more information on the campaign go to http://www.changing-places.org/
Thousands of disabled people across the UK are forced to rely on charities for basic care, equipment and vital information because of gaps in social services, according to new research by Shelter and Capability Scotland. Their report, Fit for Purpose, to be published this summer, will expose the constant battle disabled people face as they try to adapt their homes or move into more suitable housing. A lack of practical advice, long waiting lists and shortfalls in funding are common because of a huge gap between government policy and practice on the ground, the authors claim.
To read the rest of this article visit the Independent website
The suggestions in this calculator use the following gradients:
| Manual Wheelchair | Electric Wheelchair / Scooter | |||
| 1:8 | ‘Good’ | For use with assistance. | 1:6 | ‘Good’ |
| 1:10 | ‘Better’ | Unassisted or assisted as necessary. | 1:7 | ‘Better’ |
| 1:12 | ‘Best’ | Unassisted. | 1:8 | ‘Best’ |
Oxford Hoists, formally a division of Sunrise Medical, are now a trading division of Joerns Healthcare. This division specialises in patient handling and includes products such as ceiling track hoists, portable hoists and swimming pool lifts.
Need to know which type of hoist is right for you? - Disabled Patient Hoists Explained
The Oxford Voyager 550 has all the features of the Voyager 420 but will lift 250kg (550lbs/40st). The Voyager 550 is suitable for manual handling where a patient exceeds 190kg (420lbs/30st).
The 'New' Wessex Low Rise Lifting LR Range are the perfect solution to give easy access to homes, buildings and public premises where a change in level excludes the less able.
The Lifting Platform can be easily converted to a Step Lift by adding an innovative bridging device which allows access for wheelchair users up to 4 steps (1 metre). The Lifting Platform is not only a cost effective quality solution, it is also supremely flexible.
The lift is supplied with a 5 year anti-corrosion warranty and will be installed by Wessex trained engineers.
A comprehensive user manual, on site training and maintenance advice is provided.
Dolphin offer a selection of maintenance contracts to meet individual requirements. Ring 0800 9800 126 for more information and pricing.
A post with a push button on it, to allow wheelchair users to open the doors, was meant to be put up outside the building, in the Market Place, shortly after it opened in September last year.
But now, more than five months on, Quad is waiting for planning permission for the post, after taking months to draw up designs for it.
At present, disabled people have to wait outside until they are seen by staff and let in.
Read the full article on thisisderbyshire.co.uk
Mermaid with Ranger Chair
Mermaid Fixed SeatThe Mermaid can be fitted in two positions relative to the bath. The most common is the side fit, where the mast is fitted at the side of the bath and the end fit is where the mast is fitted to the centre line of the bath at one end.
The seat has a locking system that allows safe transfer and when the chair is unlocked it will rotate 360 degrees.
When widower George Keegan had a near-fatal heart attack he thought he would never return to live in his house in Dagenham, Essex. Keegan, 84, registered disabled because of arthritis, was sure he would be referred to a nursing or residential home when he left hospital. But today, five years on, he lives independently in his own home because of support from Hanover at Home.
Around 5,000 people every year are helped by the home improvement agency, which has an annual budget of £2m and operates in 13 districts across England. Run by the housing association Hanover Homes, it has helped people access around £20m of funds since 2000 to pay for adaptations and repairs in their own homes so they can carry on living there as their social and healthcare needs change.
The service helped Keegan access £16,000 of local authority disabled facilities grants to install a stairlift, a walk-in shower and a step lift at his front door to allow him access with his mobility scooter. Keegan says: "I know this house, I've got good neighbours and good friends, and family just around the corner. Why should I go into a home when I have all my marbles?"
Keegan is one of up to 100 clients a year helped by the service in Barking and Dagenham. District manager Elaine Dennison, who has worked for Hanover Homes for 18 years, says: "The greatest job satisfaction for me is that we work as part of a team - we discuss a problem and resolve it for our clients. When a client comes and says: 'what I really need is a chairlift to go upstairs without relying on help from my family' you can help them achieve that, and then you know that it's a job well done."
Dennison manages two case workers, who help clients apply for funding and support them while work is going on, as well as referring them to other support services if necessary. Two technical staff are responsible for a health and safety assessment of the property. Most of Dennison's clients are older disabled people who are owner-occupiers and referred by the council's adult social services.
Sometimes, says Dennison, it is challenging to adapt the property. "An occupational therapist might say a person needs a vertical through-the-floor stair lift, but that might cause a lot of disruption to their upstairs rooms. Sometimes there are some difficult decisions to make, but the work we do is all about giving people support and time. For some, moving is the right choice - this is all about options."
Keegan's daughter, 53-year-old Lynne Conway, is convinced her father would not be alive today if had been unable to stay in his own home. She says: "He wouldn't have been able to stay living here without Hanover's help because the family was unable to pay for the adaptations he needed. I'm sure if he had had to go into a home he would have lost the will to live. He's always said the only way they would ever get him out of his home would be in a box."
BANKS and major high street stores which do not provide reasonable access for wheelchair users have been sent a stark warning.
In the first ruling of its kind, a judge has ordered the Royal Bank of Scotland to install a lift so that a wheelchair user can have the same access as any other customer.
Read more on the Liverpool Echo website.
Are you interested in ...
Products which help with easier and independent living.
Training courses to increase your knowledge of disability issues?
Then you need to know more about Disabled Living.
Where - they are situated just north of Manchester city centre not far from Victoria Station. They have some parking for disabled visitors (currently being extended). There is also free on-street parking in the area. If you have problems finding them please click here to see their map in pdf format.
When - their main opening times are 9.00 a.m to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Who - their services are open to anyone, no referral is needed. They are useful to disabled and older people, their families, carers and those working in disability, health/social care.
What - Disabled Living, based in Greater Manchester, has given an invaluable service to disabled people of all ages for over 110 years. Today, they offer a comprehensive range of services to improve the quality of life of disabled people, their families and carers. The Disabled Living Equipment Centre provides advice and information about equipment and products to help people make a more informed choice that will enable easier, safer and more independent living.
Other services include: Training - on most aspects of disability and which is aimed at professional and informal carers; PromoCon – a comprehensive resource and confidential help-line (0161 834 2001) for people with bladder and bowel problems and the Sensurround offers multi sensory experiences. To download their agm report please click here.
The Equipment Centre has thousands of products on display all designed with disabled and older people in mind.NEW ROSS Swimming Pool have 'splashed out' on a new portable lift for the pool, which will give ease of access to the disabled.
The pool lift, which was brought in to New Ross from the United States, is fully portable and will make the pool more accessible to people with physical disabilities.
The lift, which cost in the region of ¤9,000 is funded under the Wexford Local Authorities Accessibility programme.
Because the lift is totally portable and works on a rechargeable battery it does not infringe on lane swimming at the pool, and can also be moved to the new swimming pool when it is built.
'Prior to this people with disability had to have help from the staff to access the pool. This gives them more independence,' said Martin Kirby, pool manager. He added that a similar style lift is used in the National Acquatic Centre in Dublin.
- Anne Marie O'CONNOR
For more information contact Dolphin Mobility on 01276 856060.
For more information contact Dolphin Mobility on 01276 856060.
For more information contact Dolphin Mobility on 01276 856060.
According to the council, the work of the South Notts Home Improvement Agency did not meet expectations and was not carried out in time.
From tomorrow all jobs that have not yet been started within Gedling borough will be done by the council itself.
The housing agency will complete all jobs where work has already begun, at no cost to Gedling Borough Council.
The agency, run by housing association Spirita, helps elderly, vulnerable and disabled residents with house repairs as well as installing ramps, heating systems and stair lifts.
In February, the group was told its contract would be extended if its service improved.
But a report by council officers states: "At the beginning of June 2008 it became evident Spirita was not adequately addressing the issues specified and it was mutually agreed to terminate the contract on September 30."
The South Notts Home Improvement Agency was set up in 2005 to help people living in private homes in Gedling, Rushcliffe and Broxtowe.The agency was given £230,000 of public money for home improvements. But in March 2008 Broxtowe withdrew its funding.
It criticised the agency for delays in carrying out work after receiving an initial enquiry, the quality of technical assessments and the costing of work.
A Spirita spokeswoman said: "We have worked positively and pro-actively with Gedling Borough Council to ensure a smooth handover and we continue to support our clients and handle all the work already underway."
sarah.firth@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
The following article was taken from www.contractjournal.com, the site for construction industry news.
Growing old isn't something that many of us like to think about. Except perhaps for the odd 10 minutes when we're looking in the mirror in disbelief that we're actually turning into our parents. Sadly, however, the fact remains that for those of us fortunate enough to make it, old age is a reality.
As a population, we're aging at an incredible rate. The average age in the UK now stands at approximately 39 years, compared to 34.1 years in 1971. Furthermore, by 2026, older people will account for almost half of the increase in the total number of households - resulting in an additional 2.4m older households than there are today. It's essential, therefore, that Housing Associations ensure that the dwellings they provide are able to accommodate a changing society - and for too long they haven't.
Elderly and disabled individuals living in social housing often find it difficult to move around their homes, make a cup of tea or bath themselves properly, and as a result, injuries or accidents often occur. A quick look at government statistics further illustrates the problem, with older peoples' falls resulting in 1.25m hospital admissions per year, at a cost to the NHS of around £750m. Safety modifications and adaptations are thought to be able to massively reduce that figure, with some analysts claiming that they could be reduced by as much as 60%. Or to put it another way, cut costs by about £400m.
In February this year, communities minister Hazel Blears announced that from 2011, all social housing must be designed and built to meet the '16 point' Lifetime Homes standard (see box, opposite). By putting its own house in order first, the government is hoping that the private sector will follow suit. If it fails to do so, by 2013 regulations will be introduced to make the standards compulsory throughout the UK.
The Lifetime Home Standards were first developed and promoted by Habinteg Housing Association and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation during the late 1980s. They were based on the idea that new dwellings should be designed in such a way that they are suitable for people throughout their lives and particularly as they enter old age. The Standard covers things such as wider doorways for wheelchair access, and entrance level living rooms. It also requires all housing to be accessible and easily adaptable to help people cope with disabilities.
While some may argue that this is simply another hurdle introduced by the government, making it yet harder to build the much needed social housing in the UK, Paul Cann, director of policy and external relations at Help the Aged, welcomes the idea: "This strategy is enormously important. Housing is the backbone of older people's quality of life, affecting their health, well-being and independence."
"Older people often tell us that they want to live in their own homes for as long as possible, but due to poor designs, they're unable to do so. This strategy will hopefully ensure that in the future, elderly people have the option to choose."
The new standards form part of a wider initiative launched by the government called Lifetime Neighbourhoods. These are designed to ensure that in the future cities are constructed in such a way that they are able to accommodate the requirements of an aging population. Working in conjunction with planners and design experts, the scheme will address common design faults believed to be responsible for the growing number of elderly people that feel trapped in their own homes. These include the lack of disabled parking bays, public toilets, well located bus stops, as well as better street lighting and kerb design.
There are plans to role out the first 'age-friendly' cities across the 10 nationally planned eco-towns and the Olympic Village. If the project proves to be successful, it is certain to set a precedent for other cities across the developed world.
To support both the Lifetime Homes and Lifetime Neighbourhoods programmes, a £33m fund has been allocated for essential repair and adaptation work to begin on social housing dwellings. This coupled with a £460m 'Disabled Facilities Grant' for changes such as installing stair lifts and walk in showers will, according to the government, "help people stay mobile and live independently for longer".
Cann continues: "We're delighted the government is addressing the challenges facing the day-to-day lives of the older population. The commitment to providing housing advice, repairs and adaptations today, will mean that for the first time, older people who want to continue to live independently are better equipped to do so."
In principle, this all sounds ideal. After all, it shouldn't be too much to ask that after decades of working hard and paying taxes, our elderly population should wish to keep their dignity and independence and continue to live comfortably in their own homes. The question is, however, is a one-size-fits-all approach to social housing really the solution? Or is this simply a knee-jerk reaction to an ageing population and the spiralling maintenance costs facing the government?
"In theory, the Lifetime Homes Standard is a good thing," says Marcus Keys, affordable housing director at Mansell. "There's simply no point in building homes that you then have to modify later down the line. This is about building homes of the future, today.
"Where housing providers need to be careful, though, is in ensuring that we don't end up in a situation whereby you have a single elderly person occupying a four-bedroom house, because her children moved on a long time ago. In that situation, you have to ask yourself, is this really the best use of space?"
Jon Rukin, Framework Manager at Rok, agrees. "The Lifetime Home philosophy is ethically and socially sound, but perhaps financially flawed," he says. "If you invest extra money building homes to this standard and only actually end up modifying a quarter of them, it doesn't demonstrate a good return on investment."
So the population is aging, the market is changing and as a result, we need to change the way we go about building our homes. In the private sector, the standards have come under particular scrutiny. Some contractors have argued that the standards are not a necessity and that the extra costs make it harder for first-time buyers to get on the market. So what does all this mean for the social housing contractor?
"Little change really," explains Keys. "This is something that we and a number of the major contractors have been doing for a long time already. As long as the requirements are considered in the design stage, there should be no additional cost to the contractor. The important part is ensuring that the supply chain is integrated within the design team."
For contractors that don't already comply with the standards, the transition may not be so smooth. Especially given that the cost of implementing the Lifetime Homes standards varies dramatically. The Chartered Institute of Housing in Northern Ireland and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation conducted a comparative study into the cost of meeting Building Regulations and Lifetime Home standards. According to that study, the additional cost of building Lifetime Homes ranged from £165 to a maximum of only £545 per dwelling, depending on the size, layout and specification of the property.
But Rukin believes this is a gross underestimate. "'Typically, we have found that it can add anything up to extra £3,000 onto the cost of construction, depending on the size and layout of the dwelling. It's a lot easier to implement on larger properties, but for the smaller properties it can be more challenging as you can't physically make a house bigger."
So, while the private sector may not have taken to the new standards quite so well, social housing contractors are more welcoming to the plans. Maybe that's because for most the new standards have been incorporated into their day-to-day operations for some time. Or maybe it's because when working for the Government, the additional cost of construction is less important.
One thing is for sure, though. Any scheme designed to improve the quality of life for society should be welcomed, particularly when such simple steps can make a huge difference. Only time will tell if it's to be a success or not, but with the 2012 Olympics looming and London the centre of attention, it will be interesting to see if the scheme proves a winner or if it falls at the first hurdle.
New dwellings should be designed to suit people of all ages.
Lifetime Homes form part of a wider initiative - Lifetime Neighbourhoods - which aims to address common design faults.
Every lift in council properties is to be replaced and refurbished as part of a £10 million plan.
Brighton and Hove City Council’s housing cabinet member meeting is expected to approve the investment next Wednesday.
The news comes after paramedics treating a sick pensioner had to be freed by firefighters after they were trapped in a lift.
The drama unfolded at the Leach Court sheltered flats in Kemp Town, Brighton, where lifts have been regularly out of action in the last year.
An 88-year-old man with a history of heart problems was taken ill on Friday afternoon and was helped into the lift in a wheelchair by paramedics.
But the lift became stuck and firefighters were called to free the patient and paramedics.
Maria Caulfield, the council's cabinet member for housing, said the situation was unacceptable.
The current contract provides for routine service and minor repairs but individual bids have to be made for each major piece of work.
The scheme, being introduced by the Royal Borough and 17 other local authorities across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey, provides loans to the over 60s to improve the warmth, comvort or security of their homes.
This could include work to central heating, improving insulation, installing a stairlift or essential repairs, among others.
Cllr Alison Knight, the borough's cabinet member for planning and housing, said: "We have created a loan to help residents remain in a well-maintained home during their retirement – and have peace of mind – while paying off as little or as much of the loan as they like each month.
"It is important to us that the loan is equal or superior to products available from other lenders in terms of interest rates, charges, efficiency and especially flexibility."
For further information on the scheme, call 01628 683820.
The following article is taken from the New Forest District Council website. The pool lift was supplied by Dolphin Mobility.
DISABLED swimmers are making waves at Ringwood Health and Leisure Centre with the introduction of a new pool lift.
Swimmers who found difficulty accessing the pool using the old-style hoist are delighted with the £5,000 Italian-imported equipment which has now been installed.
New Forest District Council purchased the BluOne portable pool lift, only recently available in Britain, in a bid to encourage more disabled people to take the plunge at their swimming pools.
"We were aware that the old-style hoist was not liked as disabled swimmers had to be strapped in. Some people didn't like asking for help as two members of the pool staff had to manage the equipment," said NFDC's Portfolio Holder for Employment, Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Maureen Holding.
"We want more disabled people to enjoy the benefits of swimming and have invested in this modern, lightweight and easy-to-use pool lift with great success.
"Swimming gives better health and mobility to disabled people and therefore it is very important for them to participate in this activity," said Cllr Holding.
Now only one staff member is needed to operate the lift and disabled users can be gently lowered into the water where they can easily slide off the seat and enjoy a swim.
Joan Cundill, a disabled swimmer, was invited to the Ringwood centre to try out the equipment.
She said afterwards: "The new hoist is a great improvement on the old one, both for the passenger and poolside staff."
NFDC Equalities Officer Helena Renwick would like feedback from swimmers now using the pool lift.
"If people tell us they like it, we can put it in other centres," she said.
Helena can be contacted on 023 8028 5560 or by email helena.renwick@nfdc.gov.uk
For more information please visit the BluOne pool lift product page on our main site or check out one of our pool lifts video's on youtube.
A new guide has been launched by Visit London with information on over 800 accessible hotel rooms in the capital.
The guide, which is based on an independent audit of every hotel, describes the visit from arrival by car or public transport to reception, the restaurant, other public areas and the rooms and bathrooms.
Government guidelines say the maximum time for a low-priority case to be dealt with should be 52 weeks.
But a snapshot survey of 30 recent cases in Hull has revealed a third failed to hit that target.
The longest took just over 70 weeks from the start of the assessment process to the work being finished.
Typically, adaptations range from grab-rails and stairlifts to ramps and disabled toilet facilities.
Most are carried out to allow people to remain living at home rather than moving into residential care.Mark Baggley, chairman of the Hull Choices and Rights Disability Coalition, said: “I am not surprised by the figures because it really is a massive problem which, unfortunately, isn't really known about.
“I know of one couple who have been together 50 years, but because one of them has been in hospital and their home requires adaptations, they have lived apart for the past eight months because the house had yet to be adapted.”
Mr Baggley said a shortage of occupational therapists and building surveyors were among the reasons behind the delays.
But he added: “The biggest factor is that most of the city's housing stock is just not suitable.”
John Hocking, the council's housing director, who deals with disabled adaptations, said: “We have a fast-track system for people in greatest need, but we do need to improve the time it takes.”
BluOne is easy to use. The person simply sits on the seat at the front and is pushed to the edge of the pool. Simply operate the brake and lock in position, press the down button and the swimmer is lowered into the pool.
Another big plus point for the Splash and the PAL is the hand control which powers the pool lift up, down, left and right. This means that it can be operated by the user without relying on an assistant.The unique floor-to-ceiling design eliminates the need for specialist fixings, alterations or electrical installations.This allows the system to be used permanently, semi-permanently or even temporarily. The Easytrack is the ideal solution when a fixed ceiling track cannot be installed.
The track can be fitted to timber joists if available or chemical fixed into concrete ceilings. If for any reason the ceiling can't be used it may be possible to fasten the track to the wall.
Mobile Floor Hoists
Floor hoists have been designed especially with the domestic care environment and patient in mind. Electric and hydraulic units are avilable. The following list includes some of the benefits of having a portable floor hoist.
Can be less expensive than ceiling lifts
High level of user knowledge
Use in common care areas - as back-up to primary ceiling units
No track to install
Lift from the floor is possible
Good for temporary use on holidays or for occasional visitor's
Wall Lift Hoists
The wall lift has been designed especially for home use and features the following benefits.
Inexpensive and versatile
Portable, with the use of additional wall brackets
Easy to install Unique problem solver
As you can see the patient lifting market can be quite confusing owing to the vast array of options and manufacturers. If you are considering the purchase of this type of equipment I would recommend contacting 3 or 4 companies to ensure that you buy the right product for your situation.
A good piece of advice is to speak to an independent adviser who deals with more than one manufacturer. This way the salesman is going to give you an honest appraisal of the best equipment for you and not have to try and persuade to buy the only brand that he can sell.
I would also strongly urge you to meet with an occupational therapist or physiotherapist with expertise in this area as it is vitally important that you get the right solution for the end user.
Christian Dunnage is a director of Dolphin Mobility Ltd, a UK based independent supplier of stair lifts, patient hoists and mobility products.
"Sales people may try to make you feel that if you don't buy a particular item now you will lose out; offer you a massive discount on an original high price; try to build up your commitment to the product so that you can't say no later on; use expert opinions to influence your decision or use personal information they gain from you to persuade you to agree you are interested in the product.
"Ask friends and family for recommendations of companies or traders before you buy. Shop around and if it's a large purchase consider getting several quotes.
"Try to have a friend or relative with you for support and to witness any verbal claims that are made. Make sure you get everything in writing, including any special deals or discounts.
"Don't sign on the spot - always read any contract carefully, and if you're being asked to sign a credit agreement, think about getting someone else to check the details before you sign.
"If a product costs over £100, using a credit card may give you extra protection if the goods are faulty or not as described."
Please get in touch if you would like copies of any of our company or product literature.
Please check out the Dolphin website if you would like more information on this free standing disabled hoist.
The vest was designed for people with no upper body or trunk stability. It attaches the user to the chair and straps them in for support.
To find out more about the Splash and other swimming pool products visit the dolphin lifts website.
Click to view Easytrack FS video
Those not eligible for financial assistance can still approach SSAFA for advice on where to go next.
