Minivator Simplicity 950 Stairlift Series

The Simplicity 950 stairlift is Minivator's latest addition to their expanding range of lifts. It is a straight stairlift which, as the name suggests, has been designed with ease of use in mind. The technical boffins at Dolphin have had a good look at the new machine and have been impressed with what they have seen. More details and images are available on the dolphin lifts website.

Fast delivery times for new curved stairlift

The Bison 80 curved stairlift can now be manufactured in a 2 week turnaround period. So if you urgently need a new curved lift then Bison has the quickest delivery times. The only way you can get one faster is to use a company that refabricates old rails. The manufacturers all agree that the refabrication of rails is a dangerous practice. For more details on the curved Bison stairlift click the following link. Bison 80 curved stairlift.

Council fined over care delay

The following news story appeared on the BBC website.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/4944288.stm


Council fined over disabled care

Ombudsman Anne Seex criticises the council for delays to care. A council has been criticised for failing to assess the needs of disabled people in Northumberland and leaving them without help for several months. The problem was highlighted after a complaint from a 30-year-old woman wheelchair user with spina bifida. She complained to the Government Ombudsman that Northumberland County Council was forcing her to wait nine months to be assessed for a stairlift. The watchdog found delays for help were widespread and fined the council.
Investigating the complaint Ombudsman Anne Seex, found that other recent patients classed as non-urgent cases, had been forced to wait more than 18 months for their needs to be assessed.

Personal apology

Ms Seex said council chiefs must pay the 30-year-old complainant, known only as Miss Stone, £50 for every month they failed to give her an assessment. In a report released on Wednesday she also ordered council officers to say sorry to her personally and for a backlog of cases be addressed "as a matter of urgency". The council has six months to report its progress in tackling problems. Miss Stones' doctor wrote to the council asking that she be assessed for a stairlift on 17 May 2005. She is still waiting.

Ms Seex concluded delays in assessments were "unacceptable and clearly maladministration".
She said: "The complaint draws attention to a wider problem affecting the well-being of other disabled people in the area." No-one at Northumberland County Council was available for comment, but a letter to Miss Stone said: "It is a matter of regret that the situation was not monitored more closely."

Mobility Products Blog

Following on from the success and positive feedback from the stair lift blog I have decided to run a similar site concerning some of the other products available to the elderly or disabled.

Mobility Products for the Disabled Blog

A blog about mobility products and aids for the disabled. Featuring reviews on new products released to the market, guides for end users and comment on the mobility aids industry.

Stairlift to Heaven - Channel 4

Stairlift to Heaven broadcast last night at 9pm on Channel 4, was a brutally honest account of the difficulties facing a father and son when the parent can no longer live independently.

The programme was of special interest to us at Dolphin as we have installed a stairlift for the family involved. The following link is a review of the show which appeared in the scotsman.

http://news.scotsman.com/opinion.cfm?id=494632006

Stairlift to Heaven is part of a short season of films showing on Channel 4 called ' The Trouble with Old People' you can click the following link for more details. Channel 4.

Meditek Stairlift Rail

I have a customer who is in urgent need of a five metre long Meditek stairlift rail. If you have a current model Meditek stair lift that you no longer require then please call 0800 9800 126.

The World's best selling stairlift?

"The World's best selling stairlift" that was the claim of Acorn Stairlifts during a recent advertising campaign. Not so, said Stannah Stairlifts, who challenged Acorn's advert and complained to the Advertising Standards Authority. The following link shows the ASA's conclusions. Stannah versus Acorn.

Mind you, Stannah have also had some of their adverts challenged by competitors. Minivator Ltd challenged a claim in Stannah's advertising that they were "unbeatable on bends" the ASA agreed with Minivator. Click on the following link to read their verdict Minivator versus Stannah.

The moral of the story? Take the claims of stairlift advertisers with a large pinch of salt. If you are considering getting a quote for a stair lift then make sure you contact an independent supplier as well as the manufacturers.

Dolphin Stair Lifts Surrey Showroom

Dolphin have recently finished refurbishing our showroom in Chobham, Surrey. We have a range of straight and curved stairlifts on show, as well as a selection of mobility scooters, bath lifts, riser recliner chairs and a fully operable ceiling track hoist.

If you would like to visit the showroom to test any of the equipment that we sell then please call us on 01276 856060 to make an appointment.

Dolphin Anglia Director celebrates first year in charge

Paul Smith, owner and Director of Dolphin Stair Lifts (Anglia) Limited, has recently celebrated his first year in charge of the company, after buying out the previous owner Graham Barber at the start of 2005. During this time he has continued to provide an excellent service to the firms existing customers whilst expanding the client base to include more local authorities, charities and business's.

The majority of Paul's work concerns the supply, installation, maintenance and servicing of stair lifts and mobility products. In addition to this they also have an excellent portfolio of platform lifts and other solutions with regard to disabled access in public buildings.

As part of the Dolphin Lifts group, Dolphin Stairlifts (Anglia) Ltd adhere to the following business practises, ensuring that the customer get's not only the right equipment for the right price. But, also, the personal touch of a local company with the professionalism and buying power of a major group of companies.

Independence

Dolphin aims to stay totally independent in the supply of quality products in the disability market. This enables us to recommend the right equipment for each customer’s needs without compromising on quality or safety.

No Pressure Sales

Pushy salesman selling unsuitable products are the blight of our industry. At Dolphin we will never try to rush you into making a decision. We will only sell you equipment that is suitable for your condition.

Competitive Prices

We aim to keep our overhead low, allowing us to pass on our price benefits to all of our customers. The majority of our sales are generated through local authority grants and recommendations. We do not spend a significant amount of money on advertising, which is the largest overhead of many of our competitors.

Excellent Service

We give a 12 month guarantee on all of our products, both new and reconditioned. Cost effective maintenance contracts and extended warranties are available for further peace of mind. Our service charges are among the most competitive in the market and if you buy a product from us we will always maintain it for you.

Customer Satisfaction

We are proud of our work and strive to maintain a friendly “Customer First” philosophy from the moment you contact us. It is our intention to give first class service in all the stages of product supply. From your initial enquiry through to the installation and subsequent maintenance of your equipment, our staff will be friendly, conscientious, professional and polite.

Dolphin Stairlifts (Anglia) Limited operates over the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk and Paul Smith can be contacted on:

telephone - 01394 277 100

email - anglia@dolphinlifts.co.uk

post - Paul Smith, Dolphin Stairlifts, 43 Roman Way, Felixstowe, Suffolk ,IP11 9NP.

Stannah Stairlifts Trade Award

As announced previously, Dolphin Mobility have won the Stannah Trade Award 2005 and were presented with their certificate earlier today.


The award was presented by Rory Cupples, the Trade Business Development Manager for Stannah Stair Lifts, and received by Craig Dunnage, Managing Director Of Dolphin Mobility Ltd. Pictures of the award ceremony will follow soon.

Stair Lift Chairs

Deciding which stair lift to buy can be a confusing business as there are many different makes and models on the market. In certain circumstances a person's illness or mobility issues may mean one type of stairlift is more suitable than another. However, in many cases the choice is simply down to which design the customer prefers. To make that choice a little easier I have posted some photo's of stair lift chairs that are currently on the market. Dolphin can supply all of these stair lifts.

Brooks Straight Stair Lift Chair

Bison 50 Stair Lift Chair

Bison 45 Stair Lift Chair

Minivator 1000 Straight Stair Lift Chair

Meditek Straight Stair Lift Chair

Stannah 400 Straight Stair Lift Chair

Bison 80 Curved Stair Lift Chair

Freelift Curved Stair Lift Chair

Minivator 2000 Curved Stair Lift Chair

Stannah 260 Curved Stair Lift Chair

Dolphin Mobility win Stannah Stair Lifts trade award

I am delighted to be able to announce that Dolphin Mobility Ltd are the winners of the Stannah Stair Lifts trade award for UK dealer of the year. The award is recognition of the excellent working relationship that Dolphin enjoy with Stannah. More details and photgraphs of the award ceremony will follow soon. In the meantime follow the link to learn more about Dolphin Stair Lifts and the Stannah stairlift models that we sell.

Stair Lift firm in trouble

A Cheshire based stair lift firm has gone into administration, putting scores of jobs at risk. Churchill Stairlifts, based in Runcorn, has 60 employees and an annual turnover of £8 Million.

The company, which was founded 10 years ago, suffered losses of £500,000 last year and has traded in the red for some time. A Manchester based firm has been appointed as adminstrator and it is likely that they will continue to trade in the short term with a view to trying to find a buyer.

Stair Lift use and carrying children

I found this informative forum relating to stair lifts on the Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood International website.

http://www.dppi.org.uk/forum/index.php?action=listposts&threadid=2

The forum topic concerns the effects of having a stair lift when there are children in the house.

Stannah launch Sofia and Solus stairlift chairs

Stannah launched the Sofia and Solus stair lift chairs at the Independent Living Exhibition at Alexander Palace on the 21st of September.

The Sofia stair lift chair will be primarily sold into the Local Authority / Trade markets and will be made available to the Trade in Quarter 1 2006 to coincide with the availability of the powered swivel option.





More details soon...

Stairlifts by Sarah Hobson OT

I found this excellent article on the Independent Living NSW website

Question: I am having trouble getting up and down the stairs in my house due to mobility difficulties and pain in my knees. I think I need a stairlift, what do I do?

Answer: Staircases are all very different – the first stage I would advise anyone is to have is an assessment with an Occupational Therapist and they will be able to advise you re funding and the types of stairlifts that are appropriate for your situation.

There are straight and curved staircases for internal and external flights of stairs/steps. There are lifts that are specially designed to go externally and are specifically durable for outdoor conditions. It may also be a fact that the stairs cannot accommodate a stairlift so in this case a through floor lift would need to be considered.

For internal stairs if it is a straight flight then depending on staircase width and access at the top and bottom of stairs a track runs along the side of the stairs with either a chair or a standing platform. I would suggest if you are having difficulties climbing the stairs then you would perhaps need a chair version stairlift.

If your stairs has a curve or mid way platform, then the stairlift you will need will have to be custom made to the shape and layout of the stairs. In any case you will need to get suppliers out to assess the situation.

There are many different suppliers of stairlift so it is worth shopping around as there are differences in make and models.

ODPM announces end of disability grants means testing

Families in England needing to adapt their homes to care for a disabled child will no longer be subject to means testing from next December, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced.

The Government's decision makes it easier for families to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to get funding for help to provide access ramps, stair lifts, level access showers and home extensions.

The change, which ensures families are entitled to apply for the maximum grant available without having to go through a means test, will mean they can now apply for up to £25,000 for disability improvements to their home.

Disabled man's landmark victory after job rejection

This story appeared in the Liverpool Daily Post.

A DISABLED man who was rejected for a sales job at a stairlift company has won a landmark discrimination case at the Court of Appeal. Iain Smith, of Runcorn, yesterday became the first person to successfully fight a recruitment appeal under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Mr Smith has a severe form of arthritis called Lumbar Spondylosis, which means he has difficulty walking and carrying heavy objects. He was turned down for a job selling radiator covers at UK company Churchills Stairlifts after a successful interview because of his condition, in September 2003.

Between the job offer and the start of training, Churchill's decided sales employees would have to carry full size models of their radiator covers and Mr Smith would be unable to do this because of his impairment.The company withdrew the job offer despite Mr Smith suggesting various alternatives including a trial period without using sales aids.

Yesterday Mr Smith said he was pleased with the Court of Appeal ruling. He said: "This was a job I was absolutely right for - and had the sales experience which would have really benefited the company. "But they couldn't see past my disability. And they couldn't understand the simple adjustments which could have been made to the job so that I could be effective."

The decision follows a lengthy court battle for Mr Smith, who previously lost an Employment Tribunal and subsequent Employment Appeal Tribunal. Both found the majority of the population would not have been be able to lift the sales aids, so Mr Smith was not placed at a disadvantage.

But yesterday the Court of Appeal ruled the previous approach taken by the tribunals was wrong. It clarified that Mr Smith suffered a disadvantage because he was unsuccessful in getting the job at Churchill's and this was a direct result of his disability. It also ruled that Churchill's Stairlifts should have made an adjustment to the way Mr Smith worked to overcome this disadvantage.

Lord Justice Maurice Kay said: "I accept the submission on behalf of the appellant that, if the employment tribunal had properly directed itself, it would inevitably have found that the appellant had established that he was at a substantial disadvantage in comparison to persons who were not disabled. "On that basis, there would have been an equally inevitable finding that to allow the appellant to sell by means other than by carrying a full-sized radiator cabinet on a trial basis was a reasonable adjustment." The employment tribunal will now decide how much compensation Mr Smith should receive.

Mr Smith's case was supported by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).
Last night, Bert Massie, chairman of the DRC, said: "This judgement clearly shows that employers shouldn't put obstacles in the way of disabled people applying for work. "Discrimination against disabled people at recruitment has been very difficult to prove so I'm delighted this case has been successful. "Only half of working age people who have an impairment or long-term health condition are in work, but many more would like the opportunity."

No one was available for comment from Churchill's last night.

jessicashaughnessy@dailypost.co.uk

Bison 80 Stairlift

The Bison 80 stairlift represents a major step forward in comfort and reliability. Incorporating many of the characteristics of Bison's best selling straight stairlifts the Bison 80 is a truly class leading product offering a wide range of options and accessories. Using the latest technology and Bison's modular rail concept, the Bison 80 has been developed to accommodate virtually all curved staircases.

Engineering excellence ensures the Bison 80 Stairlift provides a smooth and comfortable ride along a continuous slim and attractively finished rail on either the inner or outer curvature of your staircase. The slim, stylish, yet robust design allows for plenty of access even on narrow stairs and has been designed to be a piece of modern furniture, to ensure it blends subtly into your home.

Designed with ease of use and comfort in mind, The Bison 80 is operated using a rocker switch located on the armrest. Additional radio frequency remotes can also be provided to allow the lift to be remotely called.

The unique self leveling transport system moves the carriage along the single low profile rail and automatically adjusts the speed and level of the seat on cornering, providing an exceptionally smooth ride. The system's electronic programming ensures excellent operational performance.The Bison 80 stairlift is battery powered, making it quiet and smooth in operation and providing additional peace of mind in the event of a power cut.The footrest of the Bison 80 is extremely close to the ground floor level and has no step, also it ends level with the top stair nose, giving easy access to the landing.

When not in use the Bison 80 stairlift with its slim profile design can be easily folded away and also has an unique inside parking capability, ensuring the stairway is not obstructed for use by other members of the household.

Bison 45 Stairlift

The Bison stairlift range is unrivalled in its choice of models and options to suit a variety of individual needs and circumstances. The Bison 45 is the latest model in the range.

Functional and reliable at an affordable price. The Bison 45 stairlift is all this and more. Enjoy the benefit of the high standards and build quality that goes into every Bison stairlift.

The Bison 45 has a built-in soft start and stop facility to give you a smooth and comfortable ride quality. The integral high power re-chargeable battery pack will ensure your stairlift is available for use, even in the event of a mains power failure.

Let the Bison 45 reinstate your freedom and independence at home. If you are interested in getting a quote please got to our main website http://www.dolphinlifts.co.uk or send an email to info@dolphinlifts.co.uk .

Stairlift Scheme

An article from Bridgend County Council's website:

More than 40 stair lifts have been installed in local homes across Bridgend County Borough since the pilot stair lift scheme was launched in August 2003.

A close working partnership between Bridgend County Borough Council and the Bridgend County Care and Repair Agency means that straight-flight stair lifts can now be installed within 14 days of an initial referral from the council's occupational therapists.

The success is the result of new powers that allow local authorities greater flexibility in providing grants. Residents are also receiving financial benefits from the scheme as well as gaining full access to their own homes.

The council oversees the application process and arranges for occupational therapists to visit residents at home where they carry out an assessment of their needs. Meanwhile, the Bridgend County Care and Repair Agency provides advice and guidance and helps applicants claim benefits that they may be eligible for, such as attendance allowance, council tax benefit or pension credit.

Feedback on the scheme has been highly positive and the council is now looking at other innovative ways to improve services and reduce customer waiting times.

For more information tel: (01656) 642352 or email: physdisduty@bridgend.gov.uk

Second Hand Stair Lifts

Buying second hand stair lifts is a viable and cost effective alternative to purchasing a brand new stair lift. Most stair lifts can be purchased new or second hand.

Second hand stair lifts should be every bit as reliable as a brand new lift and most reputable firms will offer the same 12 month guarantee.

The life expectancy of a stair lift should be in excess of 10 years, however, anything much older than this and it is probably not worth using anymore. Stair lift suppliers generally stop making spare parts for the lifts after about 10 years.

Straight stair lifts can usually be adapted to fit another staircase because the stair lift rail can be cut to suit the length of the stair. This means that you can use a second hand rail and motor.

Curved staircases will need a new stair lift rail to be manufactured as it essential to have a rail that is made to measure. It is important that the rail is tight to the stairs and does not cause obstruction to others. A second hand motor and chair can still be used.

Second hand stairlifts are sometimes referred to as reconditioned stairlifts.

OLD FOLK WAIT MONTHS FOR VITAL EQUIPMENT

An article from Renfrewshire website:

HUNDREDS of elderly men and women in Renfrewshire are having to wait months for specialist aids that allow them to carry on living in their own home.

The number of people waiting to be assessed for vital items such as walk-in showers and stair-lifts has increased by hundreds over the last year - rising from 400 to 600.

Furious Nationalists say the frail pensioners then have to wait even longer to have the items installed in their homes, making their lives a misery.

SNP politicians hit out at the growing number of people on the waiting list.
Councillor Alastair Nimmo blasted: "This is a problem which is really worrying elderly people.

"They desperately need these adaptations to enable them to stay in their home and move about. But there's a waiting list of 14 to 18 weeks before they're even assessed."

He told social work chiefs: "You might be providing some stuff, but you're not providing enough. We need more money to allow people to stay in their homes."

Fellow SNP councillor, Brian Lawson, added: "To have 600 people waiting on these lists is 600 cases of individual misery.

"These are people waiting for basic adaptations, ramps so they can get in and out of their houses and walk-in showers.

"It's a fairly simple thing which seems to takes months and months."

But Councillor Tommy Williams, convener of the council's community and family care policy board, defended the service social work chiefs provide for senior citizens.

Mr Williams, who is also the authority's older persons' champion, said they spend a massive £32million a year on care for the elderly - more than a third of the social work department's annual budget.

He highlighted the work they do, with thousands benefiting from home helps and hundreds of the most vulnerable people getting more than 10 hours of care and assistance every week.

Mr Williams admitted the waiting list had increased but explained there was a shortage of staff all across the country, coupled with an increase in demand.

He said: "There has been a build- up for the occupational therapy service again but we're working to reduce the waiting list.

"We know the list isn't acceptable but we can't manufacture occupational therapists as there's a nationwide shortage of them and also people's awareness of what is available is increasing."

Do you have a Stannah 260 Stair Lift for sale?

If you have a Stannah 260 stair lift that you no longer require, Dolphin Stair Lifts may be interested in buying it from you. We only use the chair and motor, because a new bespoke rail must be manufactured, however, we can offer you a reasonable sum for this and we will remove every part of the installation from your property. Please call us on 0800 9800 126 if you have a Stannah Stair Lift for sale.

Click on the following link to check if the stair lift that you have is a Stannah 260.

Dolphin Stair Lifts - Stannah Stair Lifts. Stannah's details are towards the bottom of the page.

Stair Lift Sales Statistics

Taken from an article by Thiis (The Homecare Industry Information Service)

The current size of the global stair lift industry is said to be around 100,000 units, worth around £130m at dealer prices, according to research. Broken down this amounts to 62,000 straight lifts and 38,000 curved lifts, with the largest market being in the UK where approximately 36,000 new lifts are sold each year.

Not surprisingly, given the public sector funding available, the UK and Netherlands have the highest ratio of stair lifts for every over 65 person in the population.

However, the general consensus is that other markets may now grow rapidly. For example, the North American market is forecast to grow by around 10% per annum. The US Census Bureau predicts that by 2030, the percentage of the US population over the age of 65 will have risen to around 19%, compared to 13% today. Other factors pointing towards potential growth in North America is the increasing market awareness of stair lifts, more disposable income available to the over 65's and the quality of products and expertise available locally.

Bison Bede unveil new stair lifts at Naidex

The Naidex exhibition saw UK stair lift manufacturer and bathlift supplier Bison unveiling two new stair lifts – the entry level Bison 45 and the deluxe Bison 50 – two of the smoothest and quietest rides around. Supporting the new products is the popular Bison 80 curved stair lift and the company’s extensive bath lift range.


As Bison’s stair lift business is exclusively through national and international approved dealers, you will need to contact a company such as Dolphin Stair Lifts to purchase the lifts.

The new Bison 50 stair lift, similar in looks to the company’s renowned Compact models, benefits from a number of technical advancements all designed for greater reliability and operation. Key improvements have reduced installation time, down from 2-3 hours, to less than one hour, as well as providing a smoother and quieter ride. The Bison 50 offers the same range of options as the Compact including stand & perch, space saver and external configurations.

Bison’s new Bison 45 is the company’s basic entry model stair lift. A cost-effective unit, the Bison 45 incorporates many of the benefits of regular stair lifts but at a competitive price. With a built-in soft start/stop facility, comfortable ride and an integral high power rechargeable battery pack, the Bison 45 is always ready for use, even in the event of a power failure.

All Bison stair lifts are supplied with easy-use finger light controls, swivel seats for safer alighting, secure seatbelts and remote control handsets. All fold away when not in use to free up the staircase.

Stairlift article from Disability Now

Disabled people could be putting their lives at risk by buying do-it-yourself stairlift kits over the internet and installing them themselves, the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) has warned.

The trend developed in the United States and the association is worried it will become popular in the UK.

BHTA director general Ray Hodgkinson said DIY stairlifts are "an accident waiting to happen" and while disabled people think they are saving money by buying on the internet, they will pay in the long-term.

"Stairlifts must be installed by experienced professionals or the results could be tragic," he said.

Steve Dickinson, managing director of stairlift manufacturer Bison, said stairlifts are complex pieces of equipment and not something that can be installed "by a relative, friend or DIY enthusiast".

David Jenkins, product safety advisor for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "The implications of getting it wrong would not only be financial.
"There could be serious injury or even death."

A spokesman for the Disabled Living Centres Council said stairlifts should be fitted by a qualified engineer.

He added that while the internet is useful for finding information about specific products, disabled people should seek advice from one of the 50 nationwide Disabled Living Centres or contact their helpline* before buying.

*Disabled Living Centres Council helpline 0161 834 1044

Stair Lift articles and websites

I have compiled a small list of websites and articles that could be useful and informative if you are buying a stair lift or planning to adapt a property to suit the needs of an elderly or disabled person.



"Standards and Procedures to Ensure that XXX Premises are Accessible to People with Disabilities"

by Andy Berry

http://www.tof.co.uk/access/



BBC article concerning a Which? magazine report into selling practices of mobility aid companies

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1908694.stm



An Australian article about living with arthritis

http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=2756



An article from the Scottish executive about using the law to develop and improve equipment and adaptation provision

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/social/ultd-08.asp



OTdirect is an independent site for Occupational Therapists, OT Assistants and OT students, produced by OTs in their spare time. It aims to provide not only links to useful resources on the web, but study notes, practice updates and training listings.

http://www.otdirect.co.uk/



Information on Disabled Facilities grants from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Office of the deputy Prime Minister website



Information on grants and loans to help with repairs and improvements to the home including disabled facilities grants.

Citizens Advice Bureau



A guide to buying stairlifts

http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/archive-lifestyle/guide-to-buying-stairlifts/236129/

Dolphin Stair Lifts Spain

Dolphin Stairlifts, one of the UK's leading Independent Access Equipment Companies, is making its first foray into Europe with the opening of a branch in Alicante, Southern Spain. Under the management of husband and wife team, Jo and John Pickering, the branch will be offering a complete range of access equipment to ex-pats in the Costa Blanca region including stairlifts, bathroom products, recliners, step lifts and pool lifts.

Dolphin Stairlifts plans to open a second branch in Malaga later this year to cover the Costa del Sol region, and has plans for further expansion into Portugal and South West France. Already offering the largest number of branches of any access equipment company in the UK and Ireland, the new branch in Alicante brings Dolphin Stairlifts outlets to twenty-seven.

Spain has seen an upsurge in the number of British citizens either retiring to Southern Spain or buying holiday homes in the region to escape from the British Winter. In many cases, as the years go by, they need help with mobility and access equipment in order to maintain their quality of life.

Major advances in the development of mobility equipment over the past five years has resulted in a change of attitude towards those who would previously have gone into residential care. Whether a person requires a wheelchair lift, needs assistance to get up and downstairs, in or out of the bath, or even to get out and about, there is now a range of equipment to resolve these age-old problems.

Established in 1989 Dolphin Stairlifts has built its reputation by offering top quality, value for money products to single users, local authorities, private companies and social services departments. As the company is not limited to one manufacturer, and is the primary agent for all the renowned manufacturers of Access Equipment, it is continually testing new products to add to its range.

Commenting, Rob Edwards, of Dolphin Stairlifts says: "Our new branch in Alicante is managed by local people who are aware of the requirements within their locality but follow Dolphinís values of professional and customer care. Through our close association with many of the world's top commercial and residential manufacturers and incorporating our experience and innovation we have developed a range of outstanding products in the area of 'Access to All'."Dolphin Stairlifts, Spain, will offer a complete service to customers including assessment, training on product use, full maintenance and warranty packages, breakdown cover and scheduled servicing arrangements.

Surrey County Council Stair Lifts Report

Surrey trading standards have recently conducted inspections on stairlift installations in the County this is their report.

Stairlifts

Over a three-day period in spring 2004, twelve Surrey private residential dwellings were visited where stair lifts had been recently installed. Consumers were asked about their experiences of buying and using the stair lift. The stair lifts were examined with regard to their safety. The project did not reveal any design flaws at the manufacturing stage, however, some issues have been identified that raise concerns regarding the selling and installation of stair lifts. In particular, the significant market for previously owned stair lifts raised the most concerns.The results can be broadly broken down into three main areas, namely, the selling methods; the installation; and the extended warranty. Consumers and traders need a better awareness of these issues involving the supply of stair lifts.

The selling methods

The typical purchaser of a stair lift may be regarded as being more vulnerable as they inevitably possess some form of mobility impairment due to age or otherwise. All stair lift purchases will require a minimum of two visits to the consumer's home.

The sales visit

The installation

As with any sale in a consumer's home they may feel under pressure to complete a purchase before the salesman leaves.

There was evidence to suggest that consumers did not shop around enough prior to purchase, with many consumers buying from the first company to visit their home. In some cases this resulted in the consumer obtaining poor value for money. One consumer paid £2,500 for a second-hand stair lift when a brand new one could have been purchased for £2,300 or less.

Many consumers were unable to recall the details of the sales visit and unscrupulous companies may exploit this. One lady thought that she had purchased a new stair lift when in fact it was second hand.

The installation

The correct installation of the stair lift is critical to its safety. The best designed and manufactured stair lift can be rendered potentially lethal due to improper installation. The only examples where the safety of the product was compromised were found to be attributable to poor workmanship during installation. They included:

Failure to prevent access to basic electrical insulation
Failure to provide proper protection for the mains power cable
Failure to ensure that the track supports are level and properly secured

The extended warranty

With only one exception, none of the consumers had taken out the extended warranty that was offered to them after purchasing their stair lift. Whether new or second-hand, extended warranties are available in a variety of package choices that describe the different levels of cover as "Bronze", "Silver" and "Gold" or by their number of stars. The one constant element of the extended warranty was the price. All of the warranties are extremely expensive costing on average £600 for four years after the initial year has lapsed. The salesmen warn consumers of the expensive price of parts should anything go wrong in an attempt to persuade consumers to take up the extended warranty.

It is apparent from the project that many of the stair lifts examined were in need of a service and that the cost of such a service was the sole reason why this had not occurred. Some of the complaints we have received in the past from consumers were directly attributable to an absence of servicing.

Businesses who supply stairlifts need a greater awareness of their obligations to consumers. The fact that we are monitoring this sector and that we will, where necessary, take action. Genuine traders can be reassured that we are attempting to ensure a level playing field and that we are available to advise and assist them in the endeavours to comply. Unscrupulous traders should be in no doubt as to their responsibilities and the consequences should they fail to comply with the law.