British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) member company Access BDD, a manufacturer of stairlifts and homelifts, has reported a “hugely” successful OT Show, engaging with many attending occupational therapists (OTs).
The working models of the HomeGlide straight stairlift and Flow X curved stairlift proved to be very popular with visitors to the stand over the two days, Access BDD says.
Both lifts meet the EN 81-40:2020 stairlift safety standard that came into effect in April this year. The show was a great opportunity for the Access BDD team to explain these new regulations and what they mean to qualified and student OTs, many of whom had little knowledge of this latest development within the stairlift industry.
“The OT Show was another great success for us as it enabled us to engage with a sometimes hard-to-reach audience and have some great conversations,” commented Andrew Musson, Access BDD Sales Manager for the UK.
“It’s more than just good to share; it’s about exchanging views, understanding needs, and exploring resolutions through responsible and innovative manufacturing.
“This event is vital for connecting with Occupational Therapists who are often involved in working with clients who are looking to invest in a stairlift and therefore have to navigate around the latest equipment and stay on top of the latest regulations.
“At The OT Show, we don’t just attend – we thrive in conversations that propel us forward.”
The HomeGlide stairlift is designed to meet all straight staircase requirements and comes with “luxurious” seat padding, armrest detection, and an emergency stop button as standard. This lift has a generous weight capacity of up to 160kg and can be installed on staircases as narrow as 740mm.
For added comfort, the Extra package is available with a powered swivel seat and linked footrest. For outdoor environments, the HomeGlide Outdoor package has a weatherproof coating to protect against rain, dust, and direct sunlight and has a weight capacity of 125kg.
The Flow X curved stairlift features Advanced Swivel and Levelling (ASL) technology, which enables the stairlift to rotate and swivel during travel, ensuring the stairlift is always in the safest and most comfortable position.
With ASL technology, the footrest remains independent from the drive unit and swivels with the seat, ensuring better posture and reduced knee bending.
The Flow X offers four rail options, including standard drop nose, vertical ‘short-start’ drop nose, horizontal overrun, and parking curve, meaning it can be installed on almost any staircase. It can support a maximum weight of 125kg and can fit on narrow staircases as small as 610mm. It has no visible mechanical parts.
British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) member Stiltz, supported by Occupational Therapist (OT) Stuart Barrow, will unveil the new Trio Classic L Homelift alongside showcase theatre sessions at the OT Show.
The Trio Classic L Homelift is designed to provide greater accessibility and comfort for manual and powered wheelchair users. It features a large platform size and specialist features that cater for diverse mobility requirements, Stiltz says.
Its future-proofing design also maintains suitability if users’ needs change over time, which is important for when OTs are assessing a client’s prognosis, according to Stiltz.
The Trio Classic L will be available for live trials on stand E35, and its ability to provide better client outcomes will be explained in the Stiltz Showcase Theatre sessions.
‘Introducing Trio Classic L – the new versatile homelift from Stiltz’ will be delivered in the Showcase Theatre at the OT Show at 12-12.30pm on 22 November and 11.30am-12pm on 23 November.
In the presentation, Mike Lord, Stiltz CEO; Gino Farruggio, Stiltz Trade Sales Director; and OT Stuart Barrow will highlight how the new homelift resolves challenging transfers for carers and wheelchair users with more complex needs.
Stuart will discuss the advantages of the Trio Classic L from an occupational point of view, Mike will provide a holistic overview of the business, and Gino will illustrate the latest assistive technology from Stiltz thatincludes remote diagnostics.
In addition, the latest Stiltz customer video will be broadcast, which highlights the occupational advantages of a homelift for paediatric clients and their families.
The Trio Classic L Homelift has a wider, fully powered door, which facilitates easier ingress for larger powered wheelchairs, enhanced by near-level access. The lift car is fully enclosed for added safety and reassurance, whether standing or in a wheelchair. There is the option for full or half-height doors. The homelift has a safe working load of 250kg.
Stuart commented: “As an Occupational Therapist when working with a client and looking at their home environment there are key considerations during the assessment process.
“I would look at mobility and can this be enhanced or maintained. Independence in daily activities. Safety and falls prevention. Mental health, social engagement, ageing in place and customisation and specific needs of the client and if applicable their family.
“I would then look at energy conservation, hobbies, leisure and interests at home, and how to support care givers when looking at suitable adaptations. It is great to have this new homelift to complement the existing Stiltz range as this opens up more options to facilitate identified needs at home.”
Abacus Specialist Bathroom Solutions, in association with The OT Service, will be presenting its popular on-stand and theatre-based CPD sessions at the OT Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 22 and 23 November 2023.
Winner of the ‘best on-stand education’ at the 2022 OT Show, Abacus is a manufacturer of accessible baths for adults and children with disabilities. It is a member of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), adhering to the association’s recognised Code of Practice to ensure fair and ethical selling of healthcare products and services.
Part of the Gainsborough Healthcare Group, Abacus works closely with occupational therapists (OTs), bathers, and families to ensure positive bathing outcomes. Its Abacus Academy educational programme is available free to all healthcare professionals responsible for clinical reasoning in the accessible bathroom environment. OTs can benefit from free ‘Lunch ‘n’ Learn’ sessions, bath demonstrations, and client assessments thanks to the fleet of Abacus educational vehicles.
The ‘express’ Abacus Academy CPD presentations at the OT Show will be delivered by OT Louise Sharp:
Stand F25
22 November, 10.30–10.50am
23 November, 10–10.20am
The session will explore attachment theory and reflect specifically on the impact on children with a disability. It will discuss the impact of bathing on positive attachment and reflect on intervention plans that support the building of relationships and positive connection.
Stand F25
22 November, 1–1.20pm
23 November, 12.15–12.35pm
Bathing is often overlooked as a meaningful occupation. This session reflects on bathing assessments and challenges their client centredness. Louise will discuss purposeful and meaningful occupation, reflecting on why we bathe and how to address this in practice.
Stand F25
22 November, 2–2.20pm
23 November, 1.15–1.35pm
How often do OTs walk past a stand and think “they’re expensive so won’t be approved”? The term expensive relates to perception about an initial one-off cost, but what about the long-term impact of that spend?
This session looks to challenge the issue of cost, reflecting on the financial impact of equipment and adaptations. It focuses specifically on bathing and considers whether the installation of a specialist bath can justifiably be used to save money through care reduction and facilitation of health and well-being.
Innovation Theatre
22 November, 11.50 – 12.20pm
23 November, 11.20 – 11.50am
Moving and handling can often feel daunting, particularly for bathing, when the perceived risks created by the environment often lead to alternative recommendations. This session looks to break down some of those barriers, using clinical examples to reflect on scenarios and find realistic solutions, whilst supporting meaningful, occupational bathing through positive risk taking.
Visit the BHTA on stand J57 at the OT Show 2023 to find out more about the association and why buying from a BHTA member company increases consumer protection.
Shaun Masters, Occupational Therapist (OT), will be presenting a new approach to ‘Getting legs into bed’ on Theraposture’s stand at the OT Show 2023. This CPD opportunity will present equipment solutions to the everyday issue.
Theraposture is a member of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) and will be on stand H52 at this year’s OT Show.
Shaun’s CPD seminar, ‘Getting legs into bed – redefined’, will take place on the Theraposture stand on 22 and 23 November at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, and 3pm.
In his presentation, Shaun will explore the latest solutions to help with safe and independent transfers into, out of, and away from a bed. From a clinical point of view, Shaun will demonstrate why a Theracare Leg Lifter and the Theraposture Rotating Bed range can improve occupational performance in a variety of client scenarios.
The award-winning Rotating Bed range is further enhanced by the addition of Theraposture’s new Orbit 235, being launched at this year’s event. The Orbit 235 can be adjusted to each client’s size, height, ergonomic, and positional preferences, making it truly modular and easy to reissue.
Learning objectives of the CPD session include:
On stand H52, Theraposture trusted assessors will be available to explain how they can assist OTs with demonstrations, assessments, and free trials of equipment as well as its free ‘Lunch n Learn’ product demonstrations and live CPD webinars.
In addition to training guidance, the Theraposture team will be showcasing its rapid delivery padded care cot packages, ‘challenge us!’ price matching promise, and free home and video client product assessments.
Visit the BHTA on stand J57 at the OT Show 2023 to find out more about the association and why buying from a BHTA member company increases consumer protection.
Date and time:
22 November 2023 from 9am-5.30pm
23 November 2023 from 9am-4.30pm
Location:
NEC
Marston Green Birmingham
B40 1NT
Event organiser:
CloserStill Media
The show’s driving force is to make it easier for occupational therapists to find updated information, new resources, and support from peers, all in one place.
Free to attend, delegates will have access to the show’s unmatched CPD accredited conference programme, spread across six different theatres, over two days.
The educational programme is specifically designed by occupational therapists for occupational therapists.
The speakers are carefully selected, and the content is thoughtfully curated for all bands and specialisms working within health organisations, social care services, housing, education, voluntary organisations, or as independent practitioners.
Occupational therapists can walk through the OT Show’s exhibition hall showcasing the latest products and services to gain expert advice and ensure their clients have the right options to assist them with independent living.
As a partner of the OT Show 2023, the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) will be exhibiting on stand J57 to promote its Code of Practice, which requires member companies to offer a level of service above and beyond the legal requirements.
The association will also be promoting AT Today on stand J57, a BHTA-owned news website for health and social care professionals that keeps them informed about the latest assistive technology advancements. Attendees will have the chance to sign up to AT Today’s free weekly newsletter on the BHTA stand to keep up to date with the busy assistive technology sector.
To book your free tickets to attend the OT Show 2023, click here.