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This consultation sought views on proposed changes to the legal framework governing powered mobility devices, including mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs. Led by the Department for Transport, the review considered whether existing legislation remains appropriate in light of technological developments and increased use of these devices.
The consultation explored issues such as vehicle classification, safety requirements, speed limits, and use in public spaces, with the aim of ensuring that regulation remains proportionate while supporting safe and accessible mobility. It also considered how changes could impact users, manufacturers and suppliers.
The BHTA encouraged members to review the proposals and consider any potential implications for product design, compliance and market access.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
This consultation outlined proposed changes to the classification of medical devices in the UK as part of wider regulatory reforms. Led by the MHRA, the proposals aimed to align the UK’s approach more closely with international frameworks and introduce a more risk-based system.
The consultation described how devices are currently classified and proposed updates to ensure the regulatory framework remains appropriate as technologies evolve. The changes aimed to better reflect the level of risk posed to patients and the public.
The BHTA encouraged members to review the proposals and consider any potential implications for product classification, regulatory requirements and market access.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
This note summarises the key requirements for pricing practices under UK consumer law. This note has been prepared in line with relevant law and industry guidance, including but not limited to:
This BHTA note, produced in association with Addleshaw Goddard, is designed to help industry members ensure their pricing is clear, fair, and compliant. This note is for any member who advertises, markets, sells or otherwise promotes products to consumers at any point in a purchase process, from early-stage advertising to final purchase.
Click here to download the Pricing Practices and Price Transparency note as a PDF.
The Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on Fair Pay Agreements in Adult Social Care sought views on the proposed Adult Social Care Negotiating Body (ASCNB), which would bring together employer and worker representatives to negotiate pay, terms and conditions across the adult social care sector.
The BHTA actively encouraged members to engage with the consultation, ensuring the views of healthcare suppliers and community equipment service providers were represented. Member feedback informed the Association’s response, which highlighted the need for greater clarity on which roles would fall within the scope of the proposed framework, particularly within community equipment services, as well as the importance of practical guidance and support to help employers implement any future changes.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has responded to a consultation seeking views from relevant stakeholders about the UK’s medicines and medical device regulatory framework.
Conducted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the consultation focused on the legislation that govern the development, authorisation, supply, and oversight of medicines and medical devices in the UK. These include the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 and the Medical Devices (Fees) Regulations, which are relevant to BHTA members.
Ahead of the 19 September 2025 deadline, the BHTA invited members to share their views so that they could be included in the BHTA’s response to the consultation.
Read the BHTA’s full consultation response here.
“We strongly recommend extension of CE‑marked products in perpetuity, beyond the current 2028/2030 transition periods. The economic reality of the UK’s global market position means that patients, clinicians, and large commissioners (the NHS) will benefit most from continued acceptance of CE-marked products (which provides the most effective route to market for global/multi-national companies) AND a clear, robust, well-resourced domestic assurance route for UKCA-marked products (which provides the most effective route to market for UK-based SMEs who supply primarily (or only) the UK market).”
BHTA welcomes the intent of the medical device regulations but notes that recent uncertainty has affected companies and, ultimately, patients. Members have reported operational challenges stemming from shifting timelines for continued acceptance of CE-marked products, evolving fee structures, and a lack of clarity around the respective roles of MHRA and UK Approved Bodies.
“Businesses need predictability, appropriate advance notice, and clear regulatory pathways in order to invest confidently.”
BHTA’s view is that the regulations are broadly fit for purpose; however, MHRA resourcing and service performance must keep pace with regulatory demands. Increases in fees should be matched by measurable improvements in timeliness and quality of service delivered by the MHRA.
“Timely production of indicative fees, well before 01‑Apr‑26, will be essential… [and] quarterly or monthly payment plans for UKRPs… will be essential.”
BHTA recognises MHRA’s work towards an algorithm-based post-market surveillance cost-recovery model using GMDN level 2 categories. To help businesses plan, the association urges early publication of indicative fees well ahead of the model’s commencement on 1 April 2026.
Flexible payment options, such as quarterly or monthly plans for UK Responsible Persons acting for multiple manufacturers, would ease the transition. Any changes should be accompanied by transparent, public performance metrics and consistent delivery.
Greater clarity is required on the division of responsibilities between MHRA and UK Approved Bodies, particularly as international recognition (IR) routes are developed. BHTA supports IR in principle, but asks for timely, practical guidance on how any additional information will be collected, assessed, and used by the regulator and Approved Bodies, to avoid duplication and delay.
BHTA also advocates for closer alignment with trusted international regulators to reduce duplicative evidence requirements and restore the UK’s attractiveness as a launch market. In this context, the association supports making CE mark recognition permanent for medical devices in the UK without a time limit to stabilise supply chains, avoid unnecessary duplication, and maintain effective access.
“By aligning regulatory procedures and decision-making with international standards, the UK can offer businesses greater predictability, minimize duplication of evidence requirements, and accelerate product entry into the market. We firmly support the continued acceptance of CE-marked medical devices in the UK without a time limit.”
“The existence of separate legislation for medical devices in Great Britain and Northern Ireland creates an unnecessary burden. Differing requirements and duplicated regulatory submissions add complexity, raise compliance costs, and discourage innovation. This regulatory split can delay the availability of new devices in one or both regions, without delivering any clear improvements in safety or quality.”
In response to the MHRA’s question about unnecessary and excessive regulatory burdens, the BHTA also calls for improved access to expert, ‘actual-human’ advice alongside digital portals, so registrants can resolve complex issues more efficiently without ad-hoc escalation.
BHTA further supports DHSC/MHRA work to enable reuse of appropriate single-use Class I medical devices, where safe, as part of a pragmatic approach to sustainability, cost control, and patient access.
“Keeping regulatory detail to a minimum while expanding on it within guidance allows MHRA to respond more rapidly and effectively.”
To keep pace with technology and public health needs, BHTA favours placing more technical detail in guidance rather than in legislation. Guidance can be updated more rapidly, allowing regulators and industry to respond quickly while maintaining safety. The association also encourages early and continuous engagement with stakeholders in the development of guidance, reflecting lessons from the pandemic period when temporary flexibilities were introduced without major issues.
Our response: New regulations made under the Medicines and Medical Devices Act (MMDA)
“The shift to a cost‑recovery model occurred while MHRA was dealing with significant backlogs… any fee increases should be accompanied by more consistent and prompt delivery of MHRA services.”
The BHTA has engaged with several statutory instruments made under the Medicines and Medical Devices Act, including changes to fees and extensions for CE-compliant devices in Great Britain. Operation to date is assessed as ‘somewhat effective’. However, the shift to cost recovery coincided with backlogs, underlining the need for clear communication, adequate resourcing, and stronger performance management. Any fee increases should be accompanied by timely services and enhanced staff capability.
“We strongly support MHRA’s recent renewed openness to engagement with industry, and to proactive collaboration.”
The BHTA emphasises that MHRA having ongoing dialogue with industry and patients will help ensure that regulation and guidance are workable, support innovation, and maintain safe access to medical technologies.
This article has been co-authored with legal input from Addleshaw Goddard and reviewed by two BHTA members.
Under UK laws businesses, including British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) members, must ensure their Google Ads and other marketing materials are transparent and not misleading – particularly if they are consumer-facing.
Many consumers purchasing from BHTA members—such as older adults, disabled individuals, and those with long-term health conditions—may be considered vulnerable consumers. These individuals may face barriers to understanding pricing structures, including VAT relief eligibility, so making clear and accessible information is crucial. Misleading or unclear pricing could lead to confusion, financial strain, and a lack of trust in suppliers of essential healthcare products.
Currently, businesses comply with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Failure to comply with the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 could lead to significant penalties, including fines of up to 10% of annual global turnover as well as individual penalties, compensation, and direction to change behaviour.
For BHTA members, ensuring VAT pricing is clearly displayed in Google Ads is likely a legal requirement but also a matter of ethical responsibility to protect vulnerable consumers. Given the complexities of VAT relief, businesses must take extra care in their advertising to ensure pricing transparency, accessibility, and compliance with consumer protection laws. Clear and upfront pricing helps prevent confusion, build trust, and avoid enforcement action (which is now led by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)).
This consultation sought views on proposed regulations and guidance to strengthen action against modern slavery in NHS procurement. Building on the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Health and Care Act 2022, the proposals introduced new legal duties for public bodies procuring goods and services for the NHS to assess and address risks of modern slavery in their supply chains.
For BHTA members, the proposals highlighted increased expectations around supply chain due diligence, transparency and compliance, particularly for suppliers working with NHS organisations. The measures aimed to ensure that NHS procurement activities are free from unethical labour practices, while aligning with wider government policy on tackling modern slavery.
The consultation also outlined how these duties would be supported by national guidance and applied across public sector procurement in England. The BHTA encouraged members to consider the potential operational and reporting implications for their organisations.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has welcomed LendoCare as a new member. LendoCare’s goal is to simplify access to at-home medical equipment through rental models.
The BHTA recently caught up with Solomia Boretska, CEO/Co-founder of LendoCare, to find out more about the firm, its plans for the future, and how the BHTA can support with key issues.
Solomia is a neuroscientist by background, as she explained: “I volunteered with the MND Association during my studies and saw firsthand the difficulty of accessing equipment across the UK.”
That is when LendoCare was born.
“I started the business with my brother and co-founder to tackle the lack of digitalisation in the equipment hire process for customers,” Solomia continued.
LendoCare is building the digital equipment hire service for the UK, offering customers easy availability and a booking platform. Its mission is to tackle the postcode lottery of care by providing affordable healthcare equipment services at a national scale. Looking ahead, LendoCare plans to expand into the electric wheelchair and scooter sector.
LendoCare decided to become a BHTA member for several reasons.
As LendoCare expands, it is seeking support with medical device registration regulations and supply chain support. These are two areas where the BHTA can offer expert guidance.
LendoCare also wants to learn from other BHTA members in the space and receive up-to-date and relevant regulatory information.
Solomia added: “I’m keen to attend some in person events as well as Section meetings.”
To find out more about how the BHTA can support your business and how to become a BHTA member, visit this page.
The MHRA’s 2024 consultation on statutory fees sought views on proposals to increase regulatory fees and introduce new cost-recovery measures for medical devices. The proposals included increases to existing fees, the introduction of annual registration fees linked to GMDN codes, and a new paid regulatory advice service intended to support medical device manufacturers and suppliers.
The BHTA encouraged members across the medical technology sector to engage with the consultation and share evidence on the likely impact of the proposed changes. Drawing on member feedback and detailed analysis, the Association’s response highlighted concerns around rising regulatory costs, the potential effect on innovation, investment and market access, and the cumulative financial burden facing businesses already operating in a challenging economic environment. The BHTA also emphasised the importance of ensuring that the UK remains an attractive and competitive market for medical technologies while maintaining effective regulatory oversight.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
This consultation sought views on proposals to develop a more integrated, rules-based and predictable pathway for the evaluation, funding and commissioning of medical technologies in the NHS. The proposed pathway aimed to cover the full lifecycle of medtech, from early innovation through to routine adoption, with a focus on improving patient outcomes and delivering better value for the NHS.
For BHTA members, the proposals signalled a move towards clearer and more structured market access processes, with a stronger role for NICE in linking clinical and cost-effectiveness assessments to funding decisions. The approach aimed to provide greater certainty for innovators and suppliers, while supporting faster and more consistent adoption of effective technologies.
The consultation formed part of the wider Medtech Strategy and broader NHS reforms, with an emphasis on reducing complexity, supporting innovation and enabling more value-driven decision-making. The BHTA encouraged members to consider the potential implications for evidence generation, market access and adoption.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
Written by experts from the BHTA First Aid Medical Equipment (FAME) and Defibrillator Section.
Download the BHTA guidance document as a PDF here.
Experts from the BHTA First Aid Medical Equipment (FAME) and Defibrillator Section have worked together to agree on a suggested standard for cabinets that house public access Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
The guidance was put together because people were being supplied cabinets that weren’t suitable for the application. For instance, they didn’t have heaters in.
The BHTA FAME and Defibrillator Section came together along with leading manufacturers in the field to agree a proposed standard for the benefit of the user’s community to ensure that when they access a defibrillator in a cardiac arrest medical emergency that the defibrillator will have been kept in a suitable environment for its effective deployment, provided the serviceable items, such as pads, have been kept in date.
All public access defibrillators should be registered on the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Circuit and similar other charity websites, such as Webnos. When someone dials 999 in a cardiac arrest medical emergency, this means that ambulance services know where the nearest operational defibrillator is to guide the caller to its location and, if necessary, give the access code.
Download the BHTA guidance document as a PDF here.
Written by experts from the BHTA Beds and Support Surfaces and Pressure Care and Seating Sections.
The ISO 20342 series of standards covers various aspects of safety, performance, and technical information relating to mattresses and related products, products described in the standards as “Assistive Products for Tissue Integrity” or “APTIs”. Part 1 of the series covers General Requirements, and these are applicable to all APTIs. The information set out within the general requirements standard is intended to help ensure the safety of users.
The devices covered by this standard include all pressure redistributing mattresses and overlays manufactured using a range of materials including foam, gel, air, and foam in combination with air (i.e. hybrid mattresses). Products within the scope of this standard also include all reactive (non-powered) and active (powered) mattresses and overlays. This standard does NOT include wheelchair cushions.
Aspects relating directly towards the clinical efficacy of a product (and therefore the safety-related properties in prevention or management of pressure injuries, for example) are not addressed in this standard, but are topics covered by tests prescribed in other parts of the ISO 20342 series.
The aim of this article is to give the reader a feel as to why they should be aware of the standard’s content and provide an overview of what the standard covers in depth, and therefore its importance in the design, selection, and use of an APTI.
BS EN ISO 20342-1 is the first mattress and related device international safety standard. It sets the minimum threshold a device should reach in order to protect the safety of users.
BS EN ISO 20342-1 covers the key safety elements from an APTI-specific standpoint. These include management of potential hazards and addresses specific areas of mechanical, electrical, and materials safety. Table 1 contains a summary of the areas covered by the standard.
| Clause | Content |
|---|---|
| 4. General requirements and safety | 4.1 General; 4.2 Intended use; 4.3 Risk management; 4.4 Usability; 4.5 Design controls; 4.6 Clinical evaluation; 4.7 Foreseeable misuse; 4.8 Test conditions; 4.9 Lifting and carrying means |
| 5. Safety requirements | 5.1 Information supplied by the manufacturer; 5.2 APTI that can be dismantled; 5.3 Resistance to corrosion; 5.4 Noise and vibration; 5.5 Sound audible acoustic energy; 5.6 Default indicators; 5.7 Feedback |
| 6. Flammability | 6.1 General; 6.2 Flammability; 6.3 Moulded parts used as enclosures for electrical equipment |
| 7. Mechanical safety | 7.1 Prevention of traps; 7.2 Moving and folding parts; 7.3 V-shaped openings; 7.4 Surfaces, corners, edges and protruding parts; 7.5 Folding and adjusting mechanisms; 7.6 Instability hazard; 7.7 Temperature of parts in contact with skin; Ergonomic principles; Additional considerations |
| 8. Safety of electrical equipment | 8.1 General; 8.2 Electromagnetic compatibility; 8.3 Liquid ingress; 8.4 Interruption of power supply; 8.5 Hold to run activation; 8.6 Emergency stop functions |
| 9. Biocompatibility | 9.1 Biocompatibility and toxicity; 9.2 Animal tissue |
| 10. Contamination | 10.1 Liquid ingress; 10.2 Cleaning and disinfection; 10.3 Cross infection and microbial contamination |
| Annex A. General Information | A.1 General; A.2 Design controls; A.3 Packaging; A.4 Noise and vibration; A.5 Flammability; A.6 Ergonomic principles; A.7 (EMC) immunity; A.8 Cleaning and disinfection; A.9 Moisture vapour permeability/microclimate management |
| Annex B. Environmental and consumer related guidance | Covers Hazardous Substances in an APTI. B.1 General; B.2 All materials; B.3 Textiles; B.4 Plastic materials; B.5 Metals; B.6 Wooden parts |
| Annex C. Periodic inspection |
This standard clearly sets out the expected safety requirements for all mattress surface devices, irrespective of which medical device classification they fall into. To deliver safe, effective, harm-free care to patients, it is not unreasonable to assume the use of devices which meet the required level of safety and do not inadvertently introduce any additional risks to users.
With pressure ulcers recognised as a preventable harm and pressure ulcer incidence metrics typically reported at board meetings as a key indicator or care quality, it is prudent for providers to use products that meet the required levels of safety.
Clinicians will benefit from clear statements around the intended use, intended users, and any device claims around performance and safety, including minimum and maximum user weight on the device.
Furthermore, supporting documents, such as the clinical evaluation and instructions for use, will give additional information about the suitability of the device for local patients/residents. Requesting relevant evidence as part of a tender process will help ensure that claims of device performance are substantiated with appropriate levels of evidence and supporting documentation. This can be particularly helpful when looking to substantiate claims for self-certified, Class I medical devices, which are otherwise externally-unregulated devices.
Where manufacturers’ products align with this standard, it demonstrates that the manufacturers are seeking to attain minimum levels of device safety and that their claims around device performance can be supported by suitable data and evidence, thereby giving clinicians peace of mind when prescribing the products for patients.
Medical device manufacturers typically strive to deliver the safest, most effective products to the market. Since elements of BS EN ISO 20342-1 will apply to every APTI sold in the UK it would be a concern to understand why a manufacturer would not want their products to comply with this standard.
Healthcare providers can help encourage uptake of these standards by listing compliance as a prerequisite on mattress tender submissions. If manufacturers need to comply with specific elements of the ISO 20342 series of standards (e.g. Part 1, General Requirements) to be considered for the tender, this would greatly encourage this area of the medical device industry to meet the requirements for BS EN ISO 20342-1:2002.
BS EN ISO 20342-1:2022 – TC | 31 Aug 2022 | BSI Knowledge (bsigroup.com)
For a broader background to the ISO 20342 series of APTI standards, see the BHTA article: ‘New standards for testing mattresses and related products – An Introduction’
With funding in the NHS and hospital discharges creating pressure on health and care services on a daily basis, it is possible to find equipment solutions yourself with help from British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) members.
This guidance article is designed to advise consumers about the options available when self-funding (paying for equipment yourself) that can help you or a family member return home quicker and maintain an independent life.
Some independent living products are less expensive than you think and can make all the difference between a longer stay in hospital or a quicker discharge. Accepting using a product that improves your independence can also prevent the need to go to a hospital in the first place.
Member companies have skilled and trained staff across the UK, who are already working closely with the NHS and other healthcare professionals and are uniquely placed to help.
Take the first steps by talking to your local BHTA retailer and find out about the products that can assist you to be independent and mobile.
We have put products you might need into room settings to help guide you through the types of things you might want to consider to help you around your home. There are many products that are affordable to make things easier for you.
If you have arthritis or have had a stroke, there is shaped handle cutlery that gives you a better grip to help you eat. They are easy to take with you when eating out, so you can enjoy your meals without having to ask for assistance to have food cut up. If you prefer your own cutlery, foam grips can easily slip on to give you a better grip.
Cups with lids and two handles, plates with raised edges, together with non-slip mats can help you eat. Other useful items to consider are openers for jars and tins, cleaning and cooking equipment, a wheeled trolley, or a one-handed tray, which will enable you to move food from the kitchen to the table.
That designer sofa that you bought years ago can suddenly be too low if you’re struggling to sit down or stand back up. You can choose block raisers, making it easier to get on and off, but if this is a struggle you can choose a high-backed chair that can be tailored to your height.
If you need assistance all the way to standing, a gentle riser recliner chair with motors will lift you to a standing position at the touch of a button. Relaxing is the opposite flick of the controls. With a wide range of fabric, you can choose a chair to match close to your existing furniture.
As we get older, it’s not always easy to bend the knees to sit on the toilet, so there are many choices you can consider to improve the situation. A four-inch raised toilet seat on top of your existing toilet can help you to sit down without the help of a carer.
If you’re a bit unsteady and have balance issues, a toilet frame with seat can help you to get up and down easier. These can sometimes save having a commode in other rooms, such as the bedroom, but the choice is available to meet the different needs of everyone. Some commodes can have a dual function as a shower chair, giving the additional benefit of two ways of independent living.
Having a bath sometimes becomes more difficult when you are unable to lift yourself in and out and lift your legs over the side. Portable bath lifts can offer a solution. The bath lift sits in the bottom of your existing bath, and, once you have side transferred onto the seat, the battery-powered motor lowers you gently into the water to enable you to relax and wash. The advantage of a bath lift is that some are removable for other bath users in the home and can travel with you in the car if going away on holiday.
Another useful washing aid is a non-slip bathmat, designed to make bathing safe and create a secure environment.
If a bath is no longer an option, some BHTA members will be able to offer level access showers or a wet room, but these require specialist advice and assessments.
Handrails and bannisters down the side may just be the help you need to navigate your stairs, but when getting to your bedroom becomes too difficult you still have choices.
Stairlifts or through-floor lifts allow you to stay in your own home longer. It may seem like an expensive option, but compared to the cost of moving house or into a care home, this could be a better option to consider.
BHTA members have the knowledge and skills to advise you what your best solution is. They can help guide you through any grants that may be available.
Specialist profiling beds, rails, and pillows can make a difference to a great night’s sleep. If you have to spend more time in bed, profiling beds offer you multi-positioning allowing you to sit up, lie down, and help to redistribute pressure by the ease of changing position. There are plenty of choices you can make inside your home to make life easier and are all available through your local BHTA retailers and suppliers.
Sometimes you can manage to move around the home but going further afield can be another challenge. The next section demonstrates some of the choices you may wish to consider.
Walking can become more difficult and reduce the range you can travel in your local community or further afield. If you need a small amount of walking assistance, a rollator shopping trolley can offer you support when walking, and some have seats to allow you to rest when you need to.
Mobility scooters open up further choices depending on your aims, and a BHTA retailer will be able to advise you. A lightweight transportable scooter can be dismantled and put into the boot of your car for visits to other places and to take on holiday. These will offer a reduced battery range, as their size is smaller to make them easier to lift.
A mid-range scooter for use on the pavement offers bigger batteries, longer range, and better kerb climbing with larger wheels. These are ideal for getting to your local shops.
If you have been a car driver, the loss of a car may mean that you want to consider a mobility scooter for use in the road, allowing you to go further. These can go up to 8mph and may offer you the range to continue your adventures and go that bit further.
Help and advice is free from all BHTA member companies, all of which sign up to our Code of Practice, allowing you to buy with confidence.
This consultation sought views on proposed changes to the NHS Standard Contract for 2024/25. The Contract is published by NHS England and used by commissioners to procure most healthcare services in England, excluding primary care. It includes both a full-length version and a shorter-form version for less complex and lower-value services.
The consultation outlined material updates to both versions of the Contract and invited feedback from stakeholders, along with wider suggestions for improvement. Responses were submitted via the NHS England Consultation Hub, supported by a stakeholder response collation document to gather input across organisations.
The BHTA encouraged members to review the proposed changes and consider any potential implications for their organisations.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
Experts from the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) First Aid Medical Equipment (FAME) Section have produced new guidance for guardians who are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of public access defibrillators in their workplace or community to ensure they are “ready to rescue”.
Public access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are gradually becoming more available, particularly after the UK Government initiative to have them in every school. However, many are not properly maintained, and, in an emergency, this could mean that they are rendered useless.
Most of the time, these AEDs sit waiting for the potential to save a life, but it is important to regularly check them so that they are ready to rescue when the moments matter.
For those able to purchase a public access AED for their area/club, it is important that a guardian(s) is assigned to keep the pads, devices, and cabinets in a condition that enables them to save a life if they are ever called upon.
The BHTA FAME Section felt that it was important to raise awareness of the ease of these weekly checks that will ensure that their devices are ready to rescue if ever required.
As part of the section’s strategy last year, they worked together to produce the new guidance document, titled ‘Is your defibrillator ready to rescue?’.
Read this helpful defibrillator guidance here, where there is also the option to download it as a PDF.
Written by experts from the BHTA First Aid Medical Equipment (FAME) Section.
View and download this guidance as a PDF here.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are vital life-saving devices and should be checked regularly to make sure they are ready to be used in an emergency.
Add these simple checks into your weekly routine, for example after checking your fire alarms and other safety systems, to ensure your device is ready to rescue.
1. Can you open the cabinet easily?
2. Is the AED missing?
3. Are the AED pads in date?
4. Is the AED showing low or no battery?
5. Is the AED showing an error?
Written by experts from the BHTA Stairlifts and Access Section.
View and download this guidance as a PDF here.
When looking to buy a reconditioned or second-hand stairlift, consider these six essential points:
1. The stairlift is being installed by a BHTA member company or a company with whose practices and policies you are comfortable.
2. An in-home assessment is made that takes account of the person(s) using the stairlift and the staircase in which it is to be fitted. A survey should be conducted as part of the sales purchase.
3. A warranty period and service cover are included. The stairlift should be installed with a callout number supplied. Check the engineer response time.
4. Stairlifts for curved staircases have unique needs. This means when you buy are conditioned stairlift for your curved staircase, the rails should be made to measure.
5. Consider the many factors that will influence the lifespan of a stairlift. These include age, appropriate usage, number of installations, and regular service.
6. An instruction manual should be supplied for the stairlift. Upon installation, a full user demonstration must be given.
Personal issue kits should be issued to individual first aiders and other employees where appropriate to their role, e.g. security personnel, cleaners, maintenance, etc. as a supplementary resource to small, medium and large first aid kits being available in the workplace.
If your business has people working offsite, in vehicles or lone workers in an isolated environment, kits will need to be issued amongst persons that fall within those categories.
This convenient kit can be worn on the person; it contains essential first aid products enable basic first aid to be provided quickly and easily. The personal issue kit is designed to enable effective CPR and deal with common minor injuries, such as breaks and sprains to arms and small bleeding injuries.
It is recommended that one personal issue kit is issued to each first aider and any other employee and required, following a needs assessment.
Contents:
1 x Guidance leaflet
1 x Contents list
1 x Large sterile dressing
1 x Triangular bandage
10 x Sterile adhesive dressings
4 x Alcohol free cleansing wipes
2 x Pairs of nitrile gloves
1 x Resuscitation face shield
1 x Foil blanket
1 x Pair of universal shears
The critical injury pack contains advanced first aid products, designed to stem catastrophic blood loss and treat life threatening injuries. It is recommended that the critical injury pack is provided wherever a substantial risk of injury has been identified and to supplement first aid kits conforming to the British Standard (BS 8599-1:2019).
A critical injury pack should be provided in any workplace where there is risk of critical injury. A critical injury pack should be available to each employee exposed to these risks.
Examples include: work with dangerous machinery or sharp instruments, cutting equipment, power tools, construction, agriculture, forestry, etc.
It is highly recommended that employees responsible for the delivery of first aid in the workplace be trained in the use of the critical injury pack and its contents, specifically the haemostatic dressings and tourniquet.
Critical injury packs can also be stored in large quantities for distribution in an emergency. Following a risk assessment, an employer should consider storing appropriate quantities of critical injury packs to treat injuries to employees or the public, resulting from acts of terrorism or other mass casualty incidents.
Appropriate numbers of the critical injury pack should be stored, in line with the risks assessed. Employers should take into consideration the maximum number of people on site at any one time, each pack is designed to treat one person.
1 x guidance leaflet
1 x contents list
2 x pairs of nitrile disposable gloves
1 x foil blanket
1 x pair of universal shears
2 x large trauma dressings
2 x haemostatic dressings
1 x emergency tourniquet
The personal issue kit is intended to be issued to first aiders and other employees where appropriate to their role (e.g. security personnel, cleaners, maintenance, etc). This kit should be provided in addition to an appropriate number of British Standard compliant first aid kits being available in the workplace.
This convenient kit contains essential first aid products to enable basic first aid to be provided quickly and easily.
It is recommended that one personal issue kit be issued to each first aider and any other employee as required, following a needs assessment.
1 x guidance leaflet
1 x contents list
1 x large sterile dressing
1 x triangular bandage
10 x sterile adhesive dressings
4 x alcohol free cleansing wipes
2 x pairs of nitrile gloves
1 x face shield
1 x foil blanket
1 x pair of universal shears
Click here and search for “First Aid Medical Equipment” for further information on reputable brands, manufacturers, and suppliers.
This article is designed to help users and carers in the public domain to learn more about preventing pressure ulcers when sitting in a chair or wheelchair. It is not intended for clinicians. The article was put together by BHTA industry expert members.
A pressure ulcer is any area of localised damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue. There are a number of risk factors, including age, diagnosis, medication, continence, nutrition, mobility, and weight. There are also other factors not specific to the person, such as the support surface, temperature, and moisture. (1)
Whilst sitting, the skin and soft tissues get squeezed and deformed between the bone and the support surface. Over time this can cause the cells to die and the area of resulting dead tissue is called a pressure ulcer.
TIP: Everyone is potentially at risk of developing a pressure ulcer (2)
When sitting in an upright stable position, we still have localised high-pressure areas:
Therefore, posture and pressure are linked, with both affecting one another.
Early symptoms of a pressure ulcer include:
TIP: With care, pressure ulcers are mostly preventable (7)
Prevention can not only improve a person’s outcomes, but it can also reduce the costs to the NHS and benefit the wider community:
Consult a general practitioner or healthcare professional for information and advice on:
TIP: Chair functions, such as tilt-in-space, can be effective in redistributing pressure
Case study:
Road accidents are common in the UK with 181,384 injuries reported in 2016.
It is an employer’s legal responsibility to ensure all employees have access to a first aid kit, appropriate to the level of risk in their workplace, including employees who work away from the office and on the road.
A vehicle first aid kit, designed with associated risks in mind, contains essential equipment to provide early treatment at the roadside.
Ambulances are targeted to reach an emergency in eight minutes, though it can often be longer due to traffic and volume of calls. An untreated casualty with a severe enough injury can bleed out in a much shorter time, without treatment. A trauma dressing can be used by any bystander to potentially save someone’s life.
Kits that meet British Standard 8599-2 are designed for professionals and untrained bystanders. Items carried in the kit are designed to be useful and practical for professional first aiders, but they are also simple and intuitive enough to be used by anyone in an emergency situation.
While there are many vehicle first aid kits on the market, the British Standard 8599-2 compliant first aid kit is the first to be designed by a panel of industry experts who were invited to help the BHTA design the new vehicle first aid kits. The kits have been created to treat the most common roadside injuries.
Examples of products include:
Employers must provide first aid suitable to risks identified in the workplace. Company vehicles should be considered a workplace. It is for employers to decide if the first aid kit carried by their employees is sufficient for the risks employees are exposed to. A British Standard 8599-2 compliant first aid kit is the ideal solution for vehicle first aid.
| Number of passengers | Vehicle examples | Number of first aid kits required |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Mopeds, motorcycles, motor tricycles, and quadricycles | 1 |
| 1-8 | Cars, taxis, and commercial vehicles | 1 |
| 1-16 | Minibuses and small buses | 1 |
| 17+ | Buses and coaches | 2* |
*Multi-level vehicles might require more than two kits
1 x Triangular Bandage
1 x Dressing, Adhesive 7.5cm x 7.5cm
1 x Dressing, Sterile Medium 12cm x 12cm
1 x Dressing, Sterile Medium Trauma 10cm x 18cm
2 x Hydrogel Burn Dressings 10cm x 10cm
1 x Foil Blanket 130cm x 210cm
2 x Nitrile disposable gloves (pair)
1 x Guidance Leaflet
10 x Plasters, Washproof Assorted Sizes
1 x Resuscitation Face Shield
1 x Shears (suitable for cutting clothing, including leather)
10 x Alcohol Free moist cleaning wipes
1 x Contents List
Please contact BHTA on 020 7702 2141 to find your nearest First Aid Supplier to you.
Copies of the document are available to purchase from the BSI here or by telephone on 0345 086 9001.
There are many brands of defibrillator available. While they may look different, all defibrillators are reasonably similar and will deliver a lifesaving shock in an emergency.
Defibrillators are known by several names, including:
Look out for the defibrillator sign in your workplace and public areas.
Semi-automatic defibrillators require the rescuer to press a button to deliver a shock. Fully automatic defibrillators carry out a short countdown and deliver a shock automatically. Both versions have pros and cons, depending upon where the defibrillator is to be used and by whom. Your ambulance service or a BHTA supplier will be able to offer advice to help you make the right choice.
There are many defibrillators available in public places such as train stations, shopping centres, airports, and leisure centres. These defibrillators are often known as PADs and are usually found in yellow or green cabinets if they are outdoors or a white cabinet if they are indoors. Whatever the colour, the cabinet will always have the defibrillator sign on it. Some cabinets need a code to open them; some cabinets are already unlocked. If you need to get into a cabinet that is locked, simply call 999 and they will give you the code. These are provided for the use of everyone in an emergency.
If you need to find your nearest PAD in an emergency, call 999 and the call handler will help you if there is one nearby.
Larger companies are likely to situate a defibrillator in the main reception or close to a first aid room. There are many places defibrillators can be found; remember to look for the sign.
The amount of time between arrest and defibrillation is one of the most important factors during a cardiac arrest.
Using a defibrillator within the first three minutes of collapse can increase the chances of survival by up to 70 percent. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa040566#t=article
Every minute after this reduces chances by approximately 10 percent. It is critically important to act quickly.
Some people mistakenly feel that they may be held responsible if the casualty does not recover. This is not the case; a person using a defibrillator cannot be held liable for trying to rescue a casualty.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/3/contents/enacted
Defibrillators are designed to be used by anyone, with or without training.
A defibrillator will never deliver a shock unless the casualty needs one. Training is advisable but is not compulsory. Training will improve the user’s confidence in an emergency.
Most defibrillators can be accessed easily, without keys or codes. Some community defibrillators are protected by a locked cabinet. In this instance, instructions on how to open the cabinet in an emergency will be clearly shown.
Both visual and audible instructions will be given by the defibrillator. The instructions are simple to follow and clearly given.
All defibrillators are maintenance free.
Click here and search for “First Aid Medical Equipment” for further information on reputable brands, manufacturers, and suppliers.
The BHTA has worked with the Don’t Call Me Mum campaign initiative to produce this article. We want to help professionals and companies working with carers and families of adults and children with additional needs to demonstrate their respect of parents as partners.
When you enter a family’s house, it is also their home, their place of comfort, and a safe space. Whilst keeping this in mind, professionals should understand the potential anxieties and fears families may have around outsiders entering their home and the decisions that may be made. Working with parents/carers and involving them at every stage of a meeting/assessment will help gain their respect and trust.
Companies, professionals, and parents are all the experts in their own right. Bringing together everyone’s skills, knowledge and resources creates the best outcome because when parents are partners; everyone, especially the person with the disability, wins.
Every family has a story. Every interaction is part of an ongoing journey littered with complications, emotions and challenges.
Every person has a different set of priorities and expectations. When each party openly communicates their agenda and priorities, progress can be made.
We have established some top tips to help when working with families.
The BHTA is one of the UK’s oldest and largest healthcare trades association. To find out more about the BHTA and see other useful guidance articles, click here.
To become a supporter of ‘Don’t Call Me Mum’ and show that your company, department, or school acknowledges the essential contribution parents make, order your supporters pack and contact us to add our logo to your website. Email us: info@dontcallmemum.com or visit the Don’t Call Me Mum website.
With thanks to Born at the Right Time bringing a family’s perspective to professional practice and pioneer of the Don’t Call Me Mum initiative.
Powered mobility products are divided into Class II, Class III, and ‘not in a class’ vehicles. Class II are limited to up to 4mph and in general are designed for pavement use. Class III mobility products have a maximum speed of up to 8mph for road use but have a switch to reduce the maximum speed to 4mph so they can also be used on a pavement. Class III vehicles need to be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Where pavements do not exist, you may have to use the road until you can return to a pavement at the first opportunity.
Both Class II and Class III vehicles can be used on cycle tracks. However, Class II and Class III mobility vehicles cannot be used on cycle lanes.
‘Not in a class mobility vehicles’ are those that can go more than 8mph, are wider than 0.85 metres, and weigh more than 150kg (or 200kg if you need any equipment attached to it – for example, medical equipment). Not in a class vehicles can only be used on the road.
Not in a class vehicle owners will also need to get a valid driving licence to drive one and register their vehicle with the DVLA. You may also need to insure your vehicle.
If you are unsure of what class your mobility vehicle falls under, the retailer or manufacturer should usually be able to tell you. Otherwise, you can check based on its speed, width, and weight.
Driven safely, mobility products can give people freedom and independence. In the wrong hands, they can do considerable damage to property and other pedestrians.
The categories of road users in the Highway Code are pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists, and motorists. As a wheelchair/scooter user, you don’t really fit any of these categories. You may however partly fit one of them.
Some wheelchairs/scooters can only be driven safely on the road. This does not always make it safe to do so. To drive safely on the road, it is advisable to have a Class III vehicle capable of doing 6/8 miles an hour, equipped with headlights, rear lights, flashing indicators, and a horn. Even with all this, you may not use dual carriageways unless you also have an additional flashing beacon light. You are not permitted to use bus lanes or cycle tracks.
Under no circumstances is it permissible for scooters or wheelchairs to be driven on motorways.
Make sure you are able and fit to use it safely. It is usually possible to get advice through your local social services or occupational health service and your doctor.
You need to be able to:
It is important to talk through your requirements with a BHTA specialist or talk to your therapist or healthcare professional if you need advice. This applies even if you have driven a car previously, as it is very different from driving a scooter/wheelchair. If you would like advice from a BHTA specialist, click here and type in “mobility” in the Find a Member section.
At present, there is no overall legal obligation about insurance, though some finance companies insist on it. Nevertheless, it is a very good idea to make sure you are covered for fire and theft, accidental and malicious damage, and third-party damages – just in case. The BHTA has members that can provide insurance for your mobility vehicles.
Make sure your vehicle is the right one for you. Get advice when choosing and watch for things like seat and handle positions and height. It is important you are comfortable and in full control of your vehicle.
The reasons for choosing three- or four-wheeled vehicles are varied and depend on many factors such as your weight, size and height, weight of chair for lifting, and quality of your roads. You need to be extremely careful when ascending and descending kerbs and when turning, as if this is not done carefully and properly the scooter will tip.
The manufacturer’s literature and owner’s manual will tell you the range of your vehicle, but remember this is a guide only. Generally, they tell you the range if driven on the level on a smooth surface and when the batteries are new. Few people would want to drive round a smooth car park for 20-25 miles!
Rough surfaces, hills, gradients, cold weather, kerbs, and carrying a load of shopping will all reduce the distance you can do without charging your batteries. Recharge your batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not be too ambitious where distance is concerned. Build up your experience and range gradually.
Many mobility insurance packages include a “get you home” service within their policies, so it is worth discussing with your local BHTA specialist for advice.
Some service providers will provide a special low rate for occasional users who need the phone for possible emergencies.
On the footpath, the limit is 4mph (6.4kph), whatever the capacity of your vehicle. On the road, it is 8mph (12.6kph). If driving a Class III vehicle on the pavement, it must be switched to 4mph mode.
Do not overload your mobility product. It may make the vehicle unstable and reduce its range. Place heavy loads inboard in the middle. Not behind the back wheel, which can lighten the steering or cause the front end to lift off the road on a bump, and not at the front, which might make steering heavy.
Never try to drive, or even sit on, your vehicle while it is in “free wheel”. The electronic brake will be out of action, and the vehicle could run away with you.
Get your vehicle serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s advice.
Keep tyres at the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. They will last longer and be safer. Replace them when they become worn.
Check bulbs regularly and replace if not working properly. Use your lights frequently, at dusk onwards, and on a dull or rainy day.
These are normally provided with all new mobility products and can give you good advice on how to use and maintain your vehicle. If buying second-hand, it is always worth trying to obtain a copy from the manufacturer for advice.
Just because you are on a footpath or pedestrian precinct does not make you a pedestrian. If you are on a motorised vehicle, you are no longer a pedestrian.
Remember, pedestrians always have right of way. Many people on foot will be kind and helpful to drivers of a wheelchair/scooter but not everyone!
In a crowded precinct or market area, or footpath, it is your responsibility to ensure you do not run into anyone or do any harm with your vehicle. While many people will make way for you, you cannot expect everyone to do so. Some will appear to not even realise you are there. They will climb round and even over your vehicle rather than allow you room to move. Make sure you have your vehicle set to 4mph if it is a Class III (6/8 mph) product.
Do not yield to the temptation to ram them!
Always approach at right angles, with your front wheels straight on the kerb. In some powerchairs, it is necessary to descend high kerbs backwards.
Do not try to climb or descend kerbs higher than the manufacturer recommends. Move carefully to avoid traumatic bumps to yourself or your vehicle.
You may need to ask people to open doors for you. Most people are willing to help, if asked politely. Don’t struggle to do the impossible or even the very difficult things when there are people around who would help if asked.
This is where you have the advantage over car users! Not many supermarkets would welcome a car driving round their store. But bigger shops and even some quite small ones are accessible to wheelchairs and scooters.
Once inside the store, it is your responsibility to drive safely and not damage the fittings, the stock, or hurt other shoppers or store workers. You may need to ask for help. Again, in most cases, people are willing if asked properly. Don’t risk pulling down a whole display to reach the top shelf. Ask for help.
It is a good idea to set the speed control to a lower level to avoid any accident. Be especially careful if you need to reverse; check that your way is clear of shop fittings and people. Three-wheeled scooters with their manoeuvrability and lightness of steering are more suited to shopping.
Remember you are not driving a car but a very small and slow vehicle, which is therefore more vulnerable. If it is possible, use the footpath. It is wise to avoid using roads, particularly busy ones.
Remember, although this is legal for all vehicles, it is not always safe or sensible to do so. You are responsible for your own safety and that of other road users. The normal rules of the road apply but modified.
You must observe the law about:
But always remember your vehicle is not a car and is small and vulnerable.
If you need to turn right across traffic, try to get on to the footpath before the turn, and then use a safe pedestrian crossing or traffic light control crossing. Only try to turn right if you are completely sure it is safe to do so. Do not rely on your mirror. It may give a false impression of distance. Always give clear indication of intention to turn left or right.
Remember – The car you can see when you look behind may appear a long way away, but it is almost certainly moving faster than you are, often deceptively so. It could well be upon you before you complete your manoeuvre. And it may not be able to stop in time.
Take great care you are not moving into the path of a faster moving vehicle coming behind you or towards you. Always signal your intention to pull out.
In the event of a difficult or dangerous situation, use your hazard lights, but do not drive with them on unnecessarily.
Be visible to other pedestrians and road users. When out and about on your mobility vehicle, you can make your presence increase by wearing high visibility jackets or some other reflective wear. It is better to be seen and be safe.
Also read our article on ‘Buying a mobility vehicle’ before purchasing a mobility product.
If you are travelling away from home in the UK and experience a fault or breakdown with your NHS-provided wheelchair, the National Wheelchair Managers Forum has a helpful leaflet called ‘Right to travel UK’ with important information about the support available to wheelchair users.
Generally, for a wheelchair to remain stable, it must be upright on its wheels with the combined centre of mass of the wheelchair and user being within the wheelbase of the wheelchair. These guidelines should only be used in conjunction with the manufacturer’s own manuals and instructions for safe use.
Ramps and slopes can present a high risk to users if they try to climb, descend, or travel across slopes that are steeper than the safe working limit of the wheelchair. Appropriate gradients and surfaces should not cause problems if they are within the capability of the wheelchair. Wheelchairs should only be used on ramps or slopes that are less than the maximum safe slope specified by the manufacturer.
Note: it is important to talk to your local BHTA retailer or supplier. They will give you good advice regarding capability and suitability of each wheelchair.
Wherever possible, wheelchairs should be tested on any slopes that will be used regularly.
When travelling up, down, or across a slope, contact with relatively small obstacles can cause instability leading to tipping or sliding. Hitting obstacles can also cause the seated occupant to slide forwards or fall forwards out of the wheelchair. Use on soft ground can lead to similar problems, as small or narrow wheels tend to sink into the ground. Negotiating kerbs or steps should be undertaken following the manufacturers’ instructions, but always try to use dropped kerbs and ramps where possible.
The addition of some seat cushions can raise the centre of gravity of the wheelchair and reduce the stability of the wheelchair in all directions. The addition of a backrest cushion will move the centre of gravity forward, improving rearward stability but decreasing forward stability.
Seating units fitted into wheelchairs, tilting seating units, or reclining backrests can have similar effects on stability to the addition of cushions, by moving the user upwards and possibly forwards or rearwards within the wheelchair compared to the original seating position. This will affect stability in all directions.
The attachment of accessories or other items such as shopping bags, ventilators, or oxygen cylinders hung or positioned on the rear of the wheelchair will move the combined centre of gravity of the user and wheelchair rearward. This may not cause problems on level ground, but it can make the wheelchair unstable when climbing a slope or ramp. Never carry passengers.
The stability forwards, rearwards, and sideways can be reduced by the user moving their upper body or by leaning out to operate switches or pick something up. However, rearward stability can be improved when climbing slopes if the user can lean forward.
In some cases, the wheelchair will slide down a slope with its brakes applied or tip if it is nearing its limit of stability. Users and carers should be fully aware of the correct method of operation of all the brakes on their wheelchair, and that the effectiveness of brakes can be reduced when the wheelchair approaches its stability limits. Keep tyres inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressures.
Anti-tip devices can be added to the front or rear of some wheelchairs to give physical restriction to the amount of tipping that can occur. It is essential that any anti-tip device will have sufficient strength to function correctly when the wheelchair is carrying its maximum user mass on the steepest intended slope.
To improve rearward stability, some wheelchairs have the option of moving the rear axle mount backwards. This could be part of an adjustable mounting or a fixed position further rearward than standard. Rear axle mounts can also be moved forward to improve the manoeuvrability and allow easier tipping to climb kerbs, but it is critical to strike the appropriate compromise between instability and ease of propulsion.
The majority of powered wheelchairs now have the ability to programme the response of the control unit. Users should be aware that any sudden movement of the input device on a wheelchair programmed for fast acceleration can cause instability, particularly on slopes or uneven ground. If this is a problem for a user, then the control unit should be reprogrammed to lower acceleration settings.
The position of the axles is critical to the safe operation of the wheelchair, and any sudden or violent movement can cause the wheelchair to become unstable when climbing, descending, or traversing slopes.
Care should be taken in wet or icy weather, particularly on sloping pavements or vehicle run-ups, as wheelchairs tend to slide to the lowest point.
Lack of maintenance or poor maintenance can lead to the wear or failure of components that may cause the wheelchair or the user to change position unexpectedly. This could lead to the user falling from the wheelchair or tipping over with the wheelchair. Manufacturer maintenance instructions should be adhered to. Always use a qualified technician to service or repair the wheelchair. See also this BHTA article about getting more from your battery.
If the wheelchair is approved by the manufacturer for transportation by a seated person, make sure that you use the wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system approved by the manufacturer. If you are using large public buses or trains, use the dedicated wheelchair space and any restraint systems provided.
There is a range of guidance articles on our website. You will also be able to find your nearest BHTA retailer for advice and assistance. Visit the Find a Member section here.
Hand hygiene is widely acknowledged to be the single most important activity that reduces the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed immediately before and after every episode of hands being contaminated.
There are four aspects to quality hand hygiene:
There needs to be more education and awareness regarding the appropriate use of soap and water and alcohol-based hand sanitisers. There must be a clear understanding of how and when these different applications should be used.
Hand cleansing using the correct technique, with a mild soap and water and then dried with a disposable absorbent paper towel, is the best policy to help prevent the spread of germs and for cleaning visible dirt from hands as well as many bacteria and viruses.
Hand sanitising with an alcohol-based sanitiser with a minimum of 60 percent alcohol as an active ingredient can be a very good substitute provided hands are not actually dirty, for use without water, to kill germs and provide a high level of hand hygiene and skin disinfection on visibly clean hands.
The World Health Organization (WHO) claims that: “Hand sanitising may be of benefit when used after hand cleansing but it should not be regarded as a substitute for soap and water since sanitisers will not remove any contamination from the hands. It should therefore be remembered that alcohol sanitisers are not suitable for use on hands that are dirty, contaminated and soiled, e.g. faeces and secretions, or during outbreaks of diarrhoeal illness, e.g. Norovirus and C diff. In these instances, washing hands with mild soap and water is necessary.”
There is a common misconception that anti-bacterial soaps provide a better level of protection than ordinary soaps and therefore should be used widely. In reality, infection control nurses advocate that the use of a mild soap (preferably dermatologically tested) that is kind to the hands and therefore encourages regular hand washing, coupled with good hand washing technique, is much more important than the use of an antibacterial soap.
In a study which split a thousand households into two groups, one group received anti-bacterial cleaning soaps and the other plain soaps. Neither the researchers nor the participants knew which type of soap they were using. “In terms of infection rates and sickness, we found absolutely no difference between anti-bacterial soap and regular soap,” said Dr Elaine Larson, Director of the Centre of Disciplinary Research on Anti-Microbial Resistance at Colombia University.
Antibacterial soap is not recommended for wide use, as there is a concern that germs will develop resistance and those using it will become lazy from using high-tech soaps. It is however recommended that antibacterial soap is to be used in certain high-risk areas such as food preparation and handling areas, in surgical conditions, treatment rooms, and clinical areas.
The risk, when using low-specification soaps, is that they can contain harsh chemicals that irritate the skin, leading to drying out, cracking, and redness which in turn can cause occupational dermatitis. This then leads to less regular hand washing for fear of exacerbating the problem and hand hygiene levels deteriorate, hence the importance of using a good quality mild soap.
| Alcohol-based | Alcohol-free | |
|---|---|---|
| Kills 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria | Y | Y |
| Fragrance-free | N | Y |
| Flammable | Y | N |
| Irritates skin/causes cracking | Y | N |
| Non-damaging to floors and other surfaces | Y | N |
| Extended persistency | N | Y |
| Breaks through dirt | N | Y |
| Recognised by the CDC and WHO | Y | N |
| Antiseptic (can be applied to wounds) | N | Y |
| Organic compound | N | Y |
| Imbedded moisturiser | N | Y |
| More cost effective | N | Y |
| Leaves residue after use | Y | N |
Examples of further research findings for using soaps can be reviewed within the below link for interest only: https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm378393.htm
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA says that washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of microbes on them in most situations.
If soap and water are not available, it is recommended to use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 percent alcohol as the active ingredient and use enough to cover all surfaces of the hands and fingers to achieve effective disinfection. The average hand sanitiser contains about 62 percent alcohol.
The main two types of soap dispensers are safe, sealed cartridge systems and bulk fill or refillable dispensers, and it is really important to understand why one is so much more hygienic than the other.
We wash our hands with soap to kill germs and bacteria, however, if we are using soap from a bulk fill or refillable soap dispenser, we could be washing our hands with contaminated soap as bulk fill soap dispensers are a breeding ground for bacteria and are often inadequately cleaned. The issue is you can’t always see the harmful germs and bacteria, but they can result in the risk of germs spreading.
Refillable bulk dispensers can leave hands with 25 times more bacteria after washing. Once the lid is removed and refilled with soap, airborne germs and bacteria can enter the reservoir and contaminate the soap. Dispensers are rarely cleaned and filled correctly, and there is an increased risk of spreading germs and bacteria by washing hands with contaminated soap.
There are typically more bacteria in a bulk filled soap dispenser than in a toilet in the same bathroom; the CDC warns to not add soap to a partially empty soap dispenser. This practice of topping off dispensers can lead to bacterial contamination of soap.
The safe alternative to bulk fill dispensers is hygienically sealed cartridge systems, which are ultrasonically airtight being free from complete air and gases for maximum hygiene.
We often say that hand washing is the key to preventing the spread of illness. But wet hands increase the risk of transmitting bacteria, “so drying is an equally important step in prevention,” says urgent care specialist Theresa Lash-Ritter, MD.
Lots of research has focused on handwashing and hand drying techniques. In one study, microbiologists compared jet air dryers with warm air dryers and paper towels. What they found was disturbing:
The way each method works helps to explain the results.
Drying your hands with paper towels not only dries them faster, but the friction also dislodges bacteria to leave them cleaner.
The CDC recommends the following method:
See the diagram in this article titled ‘How to wash your hands effectively’.
If soap and water are not accessible, hand sanitisers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol (WHO guidance recommends a minimum of 60 percent compliant with BS EN 1500:2013) can be used, but do note they won’t clean visible dirt or grease, they can’t kill all germs and they can’t remove harmful chemicals. For effective disinfection, it is advisable to cover all surfaces of the hands and fingers.
There are several reasons why religious and cultural issues should be considered when dealing with the topic of hand hygiene and planning a strategy to promote it in healthcare settings.
Alcohol-free hand sanitisers entered the market to address the concerns and complaints that stemmed from the use of gels. In many ways, they have succeeded. Typically, these solutions are much easier on the hands and pose much less of a threat in cases of accidental ingestion and also pose a lesser potential as a fire hazard and are non-damaging to surfaces.
One other clear benefit is the extended persistence that occurs. The product’s ability to kill bacteria ends once the product has dried on the skin whereas the benzalkonium chloride-based low alcohol-free products continue to provide protection well after the solution has dried.
One possible drawback with the alcohol-free solutions is that they most often come in the form of foam. While this usually results in a more pleasing experience for the user (as opposed to gels), it does require a special foaming mechanism in the dispenser, often making converting from a non-foaming system cost prohibitive, as it could require new hardware to be installed.
Despite some clear benefits, alcohol-free based products have yet to gain real traction in the health market. Alcohol-based gels continue to be favoured by health organisations and are therefore seen as a more credible solution by many in the field. It’s not that these organisations don’t recognise the effectiveness of benzalkonium chloride-based solutions, however, the term “alcohol-free” could apply to any number of products on the market. (It’s a broad term that makes it impossible for agencies like the FDA and the WHO to endorse.)
Because both types of products do more or less the same job in killing harmful microbes, choosing the right product is a matter of assessing your needs against your environment, budget, and personal preference.
For example, if you work in a school, care home, a mental health hospital, or manufacturing workplace, an alcohol-free system would most likely provide you the most peace of mind and protection from ingestion or fire. If you work in a hospital that requires you to follow strict guidelines set by the NHS, you may need to go with an alcohol-based gel.
Whatever your needs, having an effective hand sanitiser as part of your preventative defence against illness and disease is a crucial part of a healthy environment.
Visit this BHTA page and search for “Decontamination and Infection Prevention” to find a list of reputable manufacturers and suppliers.
This article was put together by industry experts at the BHTA.
When you buy the equipment that is right for you, it can make a real difference to your quality of life, giving you freedom and independence. Whatever you need, this step-by-step guide is designed to help you make that right choice.
You need to be sure about what you need. There may well be so much choice out there that the right product for you may not be obvious. So, take advice, and, if you can, try before you buy. If you need professional help, contact your doctor, who may refer you to an occupational therapist or, for certain equipment, recommend a physiotherapist or speech therapist.
You need to know where to buy. Again, you’ll be spoilt for choice! You can find products in retail shops and stores as well as via mail order and the internet. If you are buying from the internet or via mail order, remember that whilst the prices may be keen, you can’t try before you buy or discuss your requirements face to face. There are two useful website links which can spell out your rights on distance selling in this article.
Many retailers are members of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), specialists in what they do, which means that you can buy with confidence because they are governed by their Code of Practice, the only one in this industry to be approved by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute.
Wherever you choose, try to have someone with you, like a friend or relative, and do test and try the equipment before committing yourself. BHTA members will guide you through the selection process looking at your current and future needs.
There are consumer exhibitions and shows throughout the year like Naidex, Kidz to Adultz, and Mobility Roadshow, where you can see and compare new products, and get the information you need to make an informed choice. See upcoming exhibitions here.
You need to know how much to pay. It makes sense to spend some time whether you need something as straightforward as a walking stick or a mobility scooter, spending a few pounds or investing thousands. You need real value for money: price is obviously part of it but so are the quality of service, the assessment of your needs, the guarantees, and warranties. Make sure that you understand the terms and conditions and the cancellation period (if there is one), should you change your mind or have second thoughts.
If you are disabled, you may not have to pay VAT, so check when you are buying. You may even get equipment free from your local council if you are eligible. A scheme runs in some parts of the country where you can get a voucher or prescription to redeem at an accredited retailer. It could also be worth your while contacting your local council or NHS trust, as they might have schemes to help. Your local BHTA retailer will guide you through the process.
Unfortunately, sometimes things do go wrong. Hopefully, with common sense and goodwill, matters can be sorted out amicably to everyone’s satisfaction before resorting to the law.
If you have bought from a BHTA member company – and there are over 400 member companies in the UK – you have the reassurance of the Code of Practice. All companies adhere to the code, which rigorously upholds your interests. It is the only one in the industry to be approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. See a copy of the Code of Practice here.
If the company involved is not a BHTA member, you should contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau through www.citizensadvice.org.uk or phone 03454 04 05 06 (03454 04 05 05 Welsh language).
These are some of the organisations which provide information and advice.
Which?: Impartial advice and in-depth reviews.
Grants: Grants are available through local authorities for house adaptations and equipment. The main sources are Disabled Facilities Grant (DFGs) in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland or an Equipment and Adaptations Grant in Scotland. You must apply before buying equipment or starting any work.
DFGs are available to disabled people who own or rent their home. They can also be paid to landlords on behalf of tenants. The grant is means-tested, so the amount paid depends on your income and savings. The authority pays the grant but has to consult the social services department to find out if you need the adaptation or equipment and whether it will be appropriate for you.
The whole process can take some months. DFGs may be mandatory or discretionary. If the work is essential for you to be able to move around your home, you will be considered for a mandatory grant. You may qualify for a grant if, for example, your disability makes climbing the stairs virtually impossible and if you need the stairs to reach an essential facility such as a bathroom.
At the time of publishing this article, the latest information about grants and repair assistance is available at the following web addresses:
Living Made Easy: Offering clear, practical advice, this is a website that lets you read reviews of products and add your own comments.
No vehicle performs to its full potential without an efficient fuel system. The batteries fitted to electrically powered wheelchairs and scooters act as their fuel tanks and should be charged up and well maintained accordingly.
If your vehicle has gel batteries (most powered wheelchairs):
Gel battery performance improves once the battery has been cycled (discharged and recharged) 15-20 times. This break-in period is necessary to fully activate the battery for maximum performance and longevity. Thus, range and running time of your mobility device could initially increase with use.
If your vehicle has sealed lead-acid batteries (most scooters):
Whatever type of battery your vehicle has:
Occasionally, depending on many factors, batteries will need replacing after 12 months. More commonly, they will still be going strong after two or more years. As they grow older, their capacity reduces. It is time to replace them when you find that the battery gauge on your vehicle shows a low state of charge after your day’s use.
Weight of the vehicle or user, ambient temperature, state of battery charge, tyre pressure and terrain can all affect the range of a battery. If the temperature ranges outside of our yearly averages, i.e. above 35 degrees Celsius and below freezing, this will affect the range of the battery. If the battery’s “state of charge” is low, then consequently the battery capacity will be low.
You also need to know that:
Please note: The advice in this leaflet does not cover wet (old type, open-cell) batteries. They are very rare these days.
We acknowledge the help and assistance by Matthew Major (MK Battery) in creating this advisory article.
The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has published a helpful guide on using a tourniquet. This advice is about the haemorrhage control pathway following a catastrophic bleed. It also contains important information about the different methods of treating a catastrophic haemorrhage depending on the severity and location of the injury.
This consultation sought views on the potential introduction of new secondary legislation requiring manufacturers and suppliers of medicines, medical devices and borderline products to report payments and other benefits provided to healthcare professionals and organisations.
For BHTA members, the proposals signalled a significant shift towards increased transparency obligations across the health sector, with potential implications for reporting requirements, administrative burden and commercial relationships. The measures aimed to address concerns around real and perceived conflicts of interest, as highlighted in the IMMDS review, and to strengthen patient trust and confidence in clinical decision-making.
The consultation also considered how transparency could be improved while minimising impact on industry. The BHTA encouraged members to review the proposals and consider the potential operational and compliance implications for their organisations.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
This consultation invited feedback on proposed changes to MHRA statutory fees, including a 10% increase, targeted adjustments to address under-recovering fees, and the introduction of new charges for certain services. These proposals were intended to ensure the MHRA can sustainably deliver high-quality, efficient regulatory services. BHTA encouraged members to review the proposals and consider the potential impact on the medical technology sector and associated businesses.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation documents.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
This consultation sought views on how professions are brought into, or removed from, statutory regulation of health and social care professionals across the UK. The aim of regulation is to protect the public from harm, ensuring that any regulatory approach is proportionate and effective.
The government proposed additional powers under the Health and Care Bill to enable greater flexibility, including the ability to remove professions from regulation, close regulators, delegate functions more freely, and extend regulation to new groups such as senior NHS leaders. The consultation explored the criteria that should be used to assess whether professions should be regulated in the future.
At the time, there were no plans to significantly change the current balance of regulated professions, which was considered appropriate for managing risk without placing unnecessary burdens on the workforce. The consultation formed part of a wider programme of regulatory reform aimed at simplifying the system, improving consistency, and strengthening public protection, including a review into whether the number of professional regulators could be reduced to improve efficiency.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
The Department of Health and Social Care’s supplementary consultation on the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) sought views on proposals to replace existing healthcare procurement rules with a more flexible framework focused on collaboration, integration and patient outcomes. The proposed regime would govern how NHS bodies, integrated care boards, local authorities and NHS trusts arrange healthcare services, reducing reliance on competitive tendering while maintaining transparency, proportionality and accountability in provider selection decisions.
In its response, the BHTA broadly supported the objectives of the Provider Selection Regime, particularly efforts to improve clarity, reduce unnecessary procurement burdens and support integrated care delivery. The Association highlighted the importance of clear definitions and reference points, including the use of Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV) codes to define service scope, and advocated for the inclusion of services such as wheelchair, community equipment and continence provision. The response also raised concerns about proposed thresholds for contract changes potentially disadvantaging SMEs and innovative providers, while emphasising the need for fair market access, transparency and continued opportunities for specialist healthcare suppliers.
Download the relevant documentation:
Click HERE to download the consultation – document 1
Click HERE to download the consultation – document 2
Click HERE to download the consultation – document 3
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
This consultation sought views on proposed changes to the NHS Standard Contract for 2022/23, which was used by NHS commissioners to procure most healthcare services in England, excluding primary care. It covered both the full-length contract and a shorter-form version for less complex services.
The updates were set in the context of the Health and Care Act reforms, which introduced Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) as the new commissioners responsible for arranging services and contracting with providers. The NHS Standard Contract continued to provide a nationally mandated framework to ensure consistent standards, reduce administrative burden, and support fair competition between NHS and independent providers.
The consultation invited feedback on the proposed changes and broader improvements, with the Contract expected to evolve over time to reduce bureaucracy and support greater integration across local health systems.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Click HERE to download the BHTA response to this consultation.
This MHRA consultation sought views on a comprehensive overhaul of the UK medical devices regulatory framework following the UK’s departure from the EU. The proposals aimed to strengthen patient safety, increase transparency, support innovation, and align the UK with international best practice. Key areas included changes to device classification, software and AI regulation, in vitro diagnostics (IVDs), post-market surveillance, clinical investigations, unique device identification (UDI), economic operator responsibilities, and new routes to market for innovative technologies. The consultation formed part of the UK’s plans to establish a modern, proportionate regulatory system that supports both patient protection and the growth of the life sciences sector.
The BHTA encouraged members from across the medical technology sector to review the proposals and submit responses, helping to ensure that the views and practical experiences of manufacturers, suppliers and service providers were reflected in the development of the future UK regulatory framework.
Download the relevant documents:
Click HERE to download the consultation document.
Due to the document’s format, the BHTA response is available on request. Please email william.lee@bhta.com or katie.edgington@bhta.com to receive a copy.