1

contents

Welcome to

the latest issue

of Assistive

Technology

Practitioner,

exclusively for members of

the Healthcare and Assistive

Technology Society.

Last week I was very

pleased to report to both the

BHTA Board and the Society

Advisory Group that we have

now reached 600+ members

– a fantastic achievement.

It’s so important to get

recognition for the hundreds

of ‘unsung heros’ who, on

a daily basis, support and

assist professionals to make

informed choices about their

clients & patients. There have

also been a few incidences

where Assistive Technology

suppliers have been

questioned before entering

and even prevented from

entering premises because

they weren’t registered

with a recognised body

HMS Mobility sponsor and

organise an annual charity

fundraising event in the

Picturesque Somerset village

of Martock.

As Society Member, Garry

Hellings explains; this years

event was on Sunday 5th July

where 300 vintage and classic

vehicles gathered from all

corners of the UK, with the

furthest vehicle driving down

from Kilmarnock 465 miles

each way!

Every year, the road closes

at 10am where the pavements

are lined with hundreds of

spectators who watch, wave

and cheer through a 300

vehicle cavalcade. Then at

11am the family show opens

with bar, live music, 25 retro

shops and stalls, 100 seater

undercover mobile carvery

Sunday lunch, ice cream,

bouncy castle, face painting,

pedal car racing and lots

more. The show has now

become the largest event held

at the village, a staggering

£7,300 was raised and

donated to

Martock

Charity Shop who, since

opening in 2006, have

donated £300k, yes £300k,

selling bric a brac to help

disabled children in Somerset

and the South West.

This brings the Retro

Fundraising total to almost

£15k in the 3 years we have

put on the event which has

grown considerably from the

dream of mustering 25 classic

minis and raising £1k to MCS.

Full details www.

retrofundraising.co.uk

It takes Garry and his

daughter Kirstie, 12 months of

their spare time to put the event

on. Next year is already being

booked up for Sunday 3rd July

2016. Support Garry and Kirstie

for a very worthwhile cause by

visiting the event next year!

Garry Hellings, Member from

HMS Mobility Solutions Ltd.

Garry is personally vetted

by Devon and Somerset

Trading Standards Buy With

Confidence Scheme.

Assistive Technology Practitionerthe newsletter of the healthcare and assistive technology society issue 3

Your Society retrofundraisingand therefore couldn’t be

‘verified’ – Acknowledgement

and recognition of the

Society from our customers,

professional associates,

procurement teams etc. goes

hand in hand with building the

membership and is something

the Council are now very

focussed on.

It was great to be in Leeds

recently and meet with

Society member, Michelle

Re, at the Posture & Mobility

Group Conference. Michelle

talked about different aspects

of her job and you can read all

about it on page 6.

We have also been working

really hard to try and pull

together the documentation

needed to complete the

pilot of the PSA accredited

register – a random selection

of members will soon receive

an invite to join the pilot and

for those who complete the

process, you will become

the founder members of the

Society accredited register.

Our work has also been

brought to the attention of

NHS England as they strive

to make the NHS the safest

healthcare system in the world

and hope to report more on

this aspect of our work in the

next issue.

This a very exciting time for

the Society and I would urge

all members to encourage

colleagues and other industry

partners to join the cause.

Kay Purnell, Chair

Society Council

Garry and Kirstie (his daughter) with Ben McGrail on BBC Somerset 95.5FM interviewing them about the fundraising.

Your Society 1

RetroFundraising 1

Assitive Tech and me 2

Baroness in a barrow 2

NHS Autism Guidelines 3

Dementia Friend 3

License Payment 4

CPD Diary 5

Member Profile 6

Contact us 7

2

ASSISTIvE TECHNOLOGy PRACTITIONER issue 3

I am a Chartered

Physiotherapist, working

in private practice, who

specialises in musculoskeletal

problems and sports injuries.

Whether I am treating an

elite athlete with a career –

threatening injury, helping

a desk-bound office worker

to improve their posture,

or rehabilitating a patient

with whiplash following

a road traffic accident I

see the overall aim of my

physiotherapy treatment to

promote normal posture,

normal movement and

therefore normal function.

In order to achieve this I

utilise many different hands-

on treatment skills to mobilise

joints and soft tissues, then

compliment this with exercises

or activities the client can do

at home. However, I often use

assistive technology to aid our

overall goal of normal function.

I have a particular interest in

treating ruptures of the rotator

cuff shoulder tendons. There

are 4 muscles that make up

the rotator cuff; tendons attach

these muscles to the bones

of the shoulder joint, where

they help to stabilise the joint

in order that strong functional

movement can be achieved.

Tears may be due to trauma

(for example, a fall onto the

shoulder) or spontaneous

rupture due to gradual

degeneration of the tendon.

A complete rupture of one

or more rotator cuff tendons

often results in a significant loss

of shoulder movement, while

the weight of the arm pulling

down on these injured soft

tissues can cause significant

pain. In extreme cases the

client may be unable to lift their

arm away from their side.

Surgery to repair the tendons

may be an option, but it is not

always appropriate. However,

there are some excellent

shoulder braces which help

to restore the anatomical

alignment of the joint, relieve

pressure on the injured

tendons, support the weight

of the arm and therefore help

to reduce pain. Other postural

muscles around the shoulder

are now more likely to work

efficiently, and the client may

even begin to use use these

muscles in different ways to

help restore some movement.

As the human body is

notoriously fickle I often apply

tape to the shoulder joint

to mimic the brace we are

considering. This enables the

client to experience the type of

support the brace will provide

and the effect it will have on

their symptoms. This greatly

reduces the likelihood of a

wasted purchase.

Whether being used as a

short term solution whilst

awaiting surgery, or on an

ongoing basis, I find assistive

technology products like these

invaluable in complimenting

my treatment and promoting

normal function and

independence for a whole

range of clients.

Diane Howell MCSP

Chartered Physiotherapist

Assistive Technology and me

A national group of wheelchair users and

advocates led by Baroness Tanni Grey-

Thompson DBE headed to Parliament

Square to call for an improvement to

wheelchair services in England before

more users are adversely affected by the

poor levels of service present.

Baroness Grey-Thompson (right) posed

in a wheelbarrow alongside former

anesthetist Dr Jean Waters (left) and

patient champion Fiona Carey (middle) in

front of the Houses of Parliament to

highlight the importance of the right chair.

The Wheelchair Leadership Alliance is a

commitment group tasked with improving

wheelchair services for users across

England. The group brought together MPs

and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs),

as well as other healthcare professionals

and senior figures who will be vital to

bring about success, at a launch event,

highlighting the issues facing wheelchair

users in getting the right chair at the right

Baroness in a barrow as wheelchair alliance launches

time and launching a wheelchair charter and

national improvement campaign.

The Alliance says that it is crucial that

wheelchair users receive the right chair at

the right time in order to lead a normal life

but many users often face severe delays to

receive their chair. Additionally, it says that

there are no set standards for budget per user

and there is no current clear idea of what is

spent on wheelchair services in NHS England,

leading to widespread confusion and varied

levels of service for users across the country.

Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “For

too long wheelchair services have been

inadequate and it is time that wheelchair

users are listened to and provided a proper

service, rather than being marginalised.

The huge variation in quality of services

across the UK is astounding, and means a

huge proportion of wheelchair users are left

immobilised, frustrated and ignored. Now we

want to get this issue on the radar of people

who can influence change and also get them

behind the campaign by urging them to

pledge their support to the Charter.”

In addition to healthcare professionals

and CCGs, members of the public can

pledge their support to the Wheelchair

Charter and campaign online through the

Alliance’s website. The Alliance hopes

support from people in positions of

influence as well as the general public will

help bring about change faster.

For further information about the

campaign, and the charter, which is a 10

point document which outlines the key

principles that wheelchair services should

aspire to, please visit the website: www.

rightwheelchair.org.uk. The campaign is

also on twitter at @rightwheelchair.

3

ASSISTIvE TECHNOLOGy PRACTITIONER issue 3

The NHS has announced

new draft guidelines to help

transform the care of people

with learning disabilities and/

or autism. The new draft

service model is the

latest piece of work

to emerge from

the Transforming

Care for People with

Learning Disabilities

programme, which

is a joint piece of

work between the

NHS England, the

LGA, ADASS, the Care

Quality Commission

(CQC), Health Education

England (HEE) and the

Department of Health (DH).

The Service Model sets out

nine overarching principles

which define what ‘good’

services for people with

learning disabilities and/

or autism whose behaviour

challenges should look like.

Highlights include:

Providing more proactive,

preventative care, with better

identification of people at risk

and early intervention;

Empowering people with

a learning disability and/or

autism, for instance through

the expansion of personal

budgets and personal health

budgets and independent

advocacy;

Ensuring access to activities

and services that enable

people with a learning

disability and/or autism to

lead a fulfilling, purposeful life

(such as education, leisure)

Jolanta Lasota, Ambitious

about Autism CEO explains

why these principles are so

important for those with

autism and how they affect

their education:

“One in a hundred people

in the UK have autism, so it

is crucial that government,

health care and local

authorities understand

that with the right support,

planning and

opportunities

across their

support network,

many people with

autism have the

ability to lead

a fulfilling and

purposeful life.

“It is

particularly

encouraging

to see access

to leisure activities included

in the principles. We have

found that for the students

at our TreeHouse School and

Ambitious College, access

to vocational and leisure

programmes including

horticulture, equine and

photography are really

important for both their

enjoyment and education.

These activities can also help

to find a career path, so it is

crucial to their development.

“Whilst education is crucial

to personal development,

it can only be effective

within a wider framework

of good health and social

care arrangements. We are

delighted to see all-round

quality of care for those with

autism being addressed by the

NHS and hope it goes a long

way to supporting those with

autism and other less visible

disabilities.”

Read the new guidelines

at http://www.england.

nhs.uk/wp-content/

uploads/2015/07/ld-draft-

serv-mod.pdf

Visit Ambitious about

Autism at: www.

ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

nhs guidelines aims to help transform care

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia

Friends programme is the

UK’s biggest ever initiative to

change people’s perceptions of

dementia. It aims to transform

the way the nation thinks, acts

and talks about the condition.

Dementia touches the lives

of millions of people across

the UK. Dementia Friends was

launched to tackle the stigma

and lack of understanding that

means many people with the

condition experience loneliness

and social exclusion. We need

to create more communities

and businesses that are

dementia friendly so that

people affected by dementia

feel understood and included.

Whether you are at work

helping those affected by

dementia or out and about in

your community, becoming

a Dementia Friend means

you will have an increased

understanding of the condition

and some of the actions you

can take to help those living

with dementia.

The actions you take can

be big or small. For example,

if you work in customer

service and find a customer is

struggling with their change,

you can be patient and assist

them. If you are working

in a hospital and notice

someone looking a little lost or

confused, you can ask if they

are ok and offer them help.

Become a Dementia Friend

download the dementia-friendly technology charterThe dementia-friendly technology charter is part of Alzheimer’s Society’s commitment to building more dementia-friendly communities. The charter contains lots of guidance for people like you on how to make technology work for people based on their individual needs.

The charter will help you learn about:• What people have told us about living with dementia and their thoughts

on how technology could help.• How technology services can support people living with dementia and

their family and friends, before diagnosis, after diagnosis, during a crisis and when there are other complex needs.

• What a good quality technology service should look like. Issues to consider including ethics and consent and the re-evaluation of needs and outcomes.

If you think this charter can help you in your role, download it now.

It’s these small actions which

can make a big difference to

the lives of people living with

dementia.

Here’s a great example

of an action from Dementia

Friend Clive Sutherland: ‘To

be patient with my neighbour

who is recently living with

Dementia, introduce myself to

her when I see her and remind

her that I’m from next door.’

There are two ways to

become a Dementia Friend:

Attend an informative

and interactive face-to-face

Information Session in your

community.

Become a Dementia Friend

online by watching a short

video in which you hear

from Gina, who is living with

dementia.

To find out more visit

dementiafriends.org.uk

4

buying products for their

elderly parents.”

David is confident that

the system will help retailers

develop useful and profitable

business, and with the first

retailers signing up there is a

real ‘buzz’ around the scheme.

“The system also builds a

reliable cash flow to balance

income on those months when

sales targets are lagging.

Retailers can receive full RRP

with no need to discount

and you don’t have to be

Motability Approved. you

can also reduce or eliminate

expensive HP and interest free

offers and you won’t lose a

potential customer because

you cannot provide a suitable

finance solution.”

So why is David offering his

scheme to other companies?

“We have no desire to expand

geographically and so it

makes sense to look to licence

reputable retailers in key areas

throughout the UK. Licence

costs are typically recovered

by the very first contract.”

A retailer that has developed

and has been successfully

running its own system to

deal with client’s high rate

DLA/Pip Mobility allowances

for a number of years is

now offering to help other

companies to generate

business using the scheme –

with the first dealers already

signed up!

Society Member, David

Penman started Here to

Help Mobility in 2008 after

spending five years working

for direct selling companies

in the marketplace and also

working with retailers on a

self-employed basis. “I enjoyed

working in the marketplace

when I was working for the

direct selling companies,

but I didn’t like the way that

business was conducted

sometimes and so that was

the reason that I decided to

branch out on my own.”

David says that he had what

he describes as his ‘eureka’

moment with margins getting

squeezed when products

were being sold through the

Motability scheme.

“There was a good deal

of dis-content around at the

time concerning the way

the Motability scheme was

working for retailers and so

I wondered if it might be

possible to develop a scheme

ASSISTIvE TECHNOLOGy PRACTITIONER issue 3

David stresses though

that retailers applying for a

license will have to be vetted

carefully. “We have to be

careful about which retailers

will be using the scheme of

course as our reputation is at

stake and we have worked

hard to get to this stage.”

Last year David visited

Trade Days and this year

his company will be on

the exhibition show floor

looking to explain more

about the scheme. “I found

the show interesting last

year, particularly some of

the companies that had the

smaller stands that we were

unaware of and that had some

good products and services.

Hopefully retailers will find

exactly that when they visit

our stand later this year.”

Here to Help Mobility will be

on stand C73 at Trade Days.

To speak to David, call 0800

694 0340 or email enquiries@

heretohelpmobility.com

that we could use and which

would work better for us. We

also wanted to try to find

something to use that involved

less administration too.”

And that’s just what David

did. He took commercial legal

advice, formulated contracts

and sought compliance from

the DLA Department of Works

and Pensions.

“It’s fair to say that there

was some initial reluctance

to overcome” he told us,

“however we persevered

and have been using our

system since 2009 with zero

complaints from either clients

or the DWP. David has over

200 customers using the

scheme these days.”

David tells us that the

scheme operates in a similar

way to Motability but with

a much higher degree of

flexibility, as there are no

restrictions on model types,

whether units are new or pre-

used and it can accommodate

any type of extras or add-

ons. “The scheme is most

appropriate for higher cost

Midi/Maxi/ powerchairs and

can be either self-funded or

funded externally. you can

also utilise the system to

provide contract hire for those

clients who aren’t eligible for

Motability or for the growing

market of clients who are

Retailer looks to license payment system

follow us on

twitter we’re

@hatsoc

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0207 702 2141

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5

septemBer 2015R82 UK Ltd - Structured Training in the Management of Medical Devices – Posturally Supportive Equipment for Children – September 9th & 10th – Block 1: Mechanical, 15th & 16th – Block 2: Technical, 23rd & 24th – Block 3: Clinical. City & Guilds Accredited and endorsed by the College of Occupational Therapists. Halesowen. £185 +vAT per Block.

Invacare – Alber training – September 9th 2015 – Bridgend – FOC

Sunrise Medical Limited - Manual Mobility Selection: Linking Assessment to Appropriate Prescription (CMAN) - Wednesday 9th September 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders.

Sunrise Medical Limited – Manual Wheelchair Assessment (CMDE) - Thursday 10th September 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders.

ASSISTIvE TECHNOLOGy PRACTITIONER issue 3

Invacare - Scooter Servicing/Maintenance – September 23rd 2015 – Bridgend - FOC

Quantum - Quantum powerchair training programme - 17th September 2015 – Pride Mobility - A deposit is required for each delegate that you wish to attend the Quantum training. This will be returned to you once the specific training has been attended.

Global Training by Silvalea – Paediatric Sling Solutions - 23rd September – Interactive Online Training - FOC.

Sunrise Medical Limited - Scooter and Powerchair Service and Maintenance (TPSM1) - 23rd September 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders.

Pride Mobility Products Ltd Training - Introduction to Pride Mobility Products Technical Trouble Shooting – September 23rd 2015 – Pride Mobility - A deposit is required for each delegate that you wish to attend the Pride training. This will be returned to you once the specific training has been attended.

Global Training by Silvalea – Sizing & How to Measure - 24th September – Interactive Online Training - FOC.

JCM Seating Solutions Ltd – Postural Management Workshop: Specialist Seating - 24th September 2015 - FOC - Peterborough, JCM Head Office.

octoBer 2015Invacare - Servicing/Maintenance of Patient Lifters – 1st October - FOC – Bridgend

Invacare - Kuschall (Dealers only) - 6th October- FOC – Bridgend

R82 UK Ltd - Structured Training in the Management of Medical Devices – Posturally Supportive Equipment for Children. 6th & 7th – Block 1: Mechanical, 13th & 14th – Block 2: Technical, 20th & 21st – Block 3: Clinical - City & Guilds Accredited and endorsed

British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) – BTEC in Healthcare & Assistive Technology. Wellingborough. £525+vAT for Society Members. 2 day course. 10th–11th September 2015.

Sunrise Medical Limited - Seating and Positioning for Function and Mobility – for Dealers (CMDE) - 15th September 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders.

Sunrise Medical Limited - JAy Product Training for Dealers (PJAy) - Wed 16th September 2015 – West Midlands – £100 but receive £470 RRP worth of JAy seating products upon course completion.

Global Training by Silvalea – Amputee Sling Solutions - 16th September 2015 - InteractiveOnline Training - FOC.

Invacare - Servicing/Maintenance & Adjustment on Manual Chairs – September 16th 2015 – Bridgend – FOC

Invacare - Servicing/Maintenance & Adjustment on Power Chairs – September 17th 2015 – Bridgend - FOC

Global Training by Silvalea – Walking & Standing Harness Solutions - 17th September 2015 - Interactive Online Training - FOC.

Invacare - Pressure Ulcer Awareness & Mattress Care – September 22nd 2015 – Bridgend – FOC

by the College of Occupational Therapists. Halesowen. £185+vAT per Block

Sunrise Medical Limited - Powerchair Service & Maintenance – Mechanics (TPSM4) – 7th October 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders

Invacare - Power Chair Controls Set-up & Operation - 7th October – FOC – Bridgend Invacare - Fault Finding on Power Chairs – 8th October – FOC – Bridgend

Sunrise Medical Limited - Powerchair Service & Maintenance – Electronics and Diagnostics (TPSM2) - 8th October 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders Electric Mobility – Servicing / Maintenance & Fault finding for Rascal Mobility Products – 7th October 2015 - Ilminster. FOC including Lunch.

JCM Seating Solutions Ltd - Technical Training - 8th October 2015 – Peterborough – FOC.

Invacare - Introduction to Invacare Manual Wheelchairs – 13th October – FOC – Bridgend Invacare - Servicing/Maintenance & Adjs on Manual Chairs – 14th October – FOC – Bridgend Invacare - Servicing/Maintenance & Adjs on Power Chairs - 15th October – FOC – Bridgend

Global Training by Silvalea – Complex Sling Solutions 1-14th October 2015 – Interactive Online Training. FOC.

Global Training by Silvalea – Complex Sling Solutions 2 - 15th October 2015 – Interactive Online Training. FOC.

Global Training by Silvalea – Manual Handling Products - 21st October 2015 – Interactive Online Training. FOC.

Pride Mobility Products Ltd Training - Introduction to Pride Mobility Products Technical Trouble Shooting – October 21-22 2015 – Pride Mobility - A deposit is required for each

cpd opportunitiesseptemBer-octoBer 2015

If you’re aware of other CPD opportunities Society members might find useful, please let us know at info@hatsoc.org

6

just right is hugely satisfying.

My area is pretty rural with communities

spread over a large area so it’s important

to be good at map reading and enjoy

listening to music or Radio 2 to keep you

going when attending a remote home visit!

What advice would you give to anyone

who wants to get into you role, or into

the industry in general?

If you seek real job satisfaction and enjoy

interaction with people – and some of it

is very personal when trying to resolve

a pressure issue – then fewer jobs allow

you to get to meet such a broad range

of people and feel good when you leave

virtually every call.

How would you like to develop/where do

you see yourself in five years?

Maybe it’s because of my clinical

background but I would like to get

more involved with clinical trials and

new product testing for pressure care

products. It’s so important to have

an evidence base to be able to talk

confidently to customers about different

solutions.

What are your thoughts on the Society

and where did you hear about it?

Our Sales Manager encouraged us all

to consider joining the Society as she

felt that it was important to belong to

a Society which represented our skill

set – even though I’m an OT and am a

member of COT I think recognition of

the Society code of conduct will become

important for our future role working

alongside other professionals. As we

work in the Health and Social Care arena,

the newsletter gives an insight to what’s

happening that may affect our work in

local authorities and the NHS.

Michelle Re, South West Territory Manager

Sumed International Ltd

Integrity House, Unit 1-2 Graphite Way

Hadfield, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 1QH

T: 01457 890980 · M: 07557 113134

F: 01457 890990 · E: michelle@sumed.co.uk

ASSISTIvE TECHNOLOGy PRACTITIONER issue 3

What’s your name?

Michelle Re

What’s your job title?

Area Manager (Wales &

South West). As an OT,

I am the only practicing

clinician in the Sales Team at Sumed and

regularly meet former OT colleagues

working in the seven wheelchair centres

in my territory.

What does your role involve, day-to-day?

Day to day I work alongside NHS Wheelchair

Service and Community Equipment Service

Therapy teams delivering pressure care

education and product training. I also

work with Tissue viability Nurses to advise

on pressure care. Sumed are constantly

developing its portfolio bringing products

which heal and maintain healthy skin. My

role is to promote these products across

my area and provide training and servicing

to my clients I particularly enjoy the group

training sessions for AHP’s or District Nurses

and it’s nice to feel an accepted member

of their team when we visit clients after a

training session as they often refer to me as

the ‘RoHo Expert’ rather than a sales rep.

What skills do you think are the most

important in doing your job?

Listening and communication skills are

the most important, whether listening to a

client or presenting to a group of AHP’s. It’s

important to understand the boundaries

of the role – especially as I’m an OT often

working alongside fellow OT’s– but my role

is about answering questions and advising

on typical outcomes rather than prescribing

the particular product for the client.

Patience and diplomacy are probably

the other key skills, clients often have

complex needs and I need to understand

their particular issues and offer practical

solutions.

Ability to participate in pressure

mapping sessions is particularly satisfying,

we don’t manage to pressure map every

client but it’s essential for some clients

and getting their seating & positioning

memBer profiledelegate that you wish to attend the Pride training. This will be returned to you once the specific training has beenattended.

Invacare - Servicing/Maintenance of Mattress Pump – 21st october – FOC – Bridgend Invacare - Servicing/Maintenance of Mattress Pump - 22 October- FOC – Bridgend

Global Training by Silvalea – An Introduction to Slings - 22nd October 2015 – Interactive Online Training. FOC.

Sunrise Medical Limited - Mobility and Seating System Selection: A Paediatric Focus (TPSM2) - 22nd October 2015 – West Midlands – FOC to Sunrise Medical Account Holders.

Invacare - Pressure & Posture in Wheelchair Seating - 27 October – FOC – Bridgend Invacare - Robin Overhead Hoist – 28-29 October - FOC - Bridgend

Quantum - Quantum powerchair training programme – 29th October 2015 – PrideMobility - A deposit is required for each delegate that you wish to attend the Quantum training. This will be returned to you once the specific training has been attended.

contacts for BookingsInvacare – Call Joan James on 01656 776283 or email jjames@invacare.com

Sunrise Medical – Laura Payne on 01384 421 538, email laura.payne@sunmed. co.uk, or visit www.SunriseMedical.co.uk/STEPS

Global Training by Silvalea - +44 (0) 1626 331655 info@silvalea-globaltraining.com or visit www.trainingbysilvalea.com

Quantum Rehab – Call Hayley 01869 324600 or email sales@quantumrehab.co.uk

Pride Mobility – Call Chris on 01869 324600 or email service@pride-mobility.co.uk

R82 UK Ltd – Call 0121 561 2222, or email Martyn Davis on mda@r82.com

Electric Mobility – Call Sharon Newton on 01460 258118 or email sharon.newton@electricmobility.co.uk

JCM – Contact Rachel Davis on training@jcmfactory.co.uk

British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) – Contact Nigel Woods 0207 702 2141 or nigel.woods@bhta.com

...CPD ContInueD from Page 5

If you’d like to feature in a future member Profile, contact membership@hatsoc.org

7

Darren AwangCourse Director of the MSc in Assistive Technology Coventry University

Clare CanaleChair of the Posture Mobility Group

Prof. Duncan EatonExecutive AdvisorAll Party Parliamentary Health Group

Dr. Sally GoslingAssistant Director for Practice & Development, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists

Ray Hodgkinson MBEDirector of Public Affairs, British Healthcare Trades Association

Ian McCreathPersonal Choice Programme Manager, The Alzheimer’s Society

Julia ScottChief ExecutiveThe British Association of Occupational Therapists

Alison SomekChief Executive Officer, Somek and Associates

Kay Purnell (Chair)Business Development Manager, Blatchford’s Clinical Services

Diane HargroveSales and Marketing Director, Sumed International UK (Ltd)

Kenneth MunroManaging Director, W Munro (Rehab) Ltd

Myrddin JamesDirector, 3r Mobility

Richard HandleyManaging Director, Care and Independence Systems Ltd

Thank you to the

members who have

sent in applications

to join the Council,

but we’d still like to see more of you

represented - this is a chance for you

to be involved with the running of the

Society and the direction it takes.

General terms of service are:

• members are elected to serve a two

year term;

• a member may serve a second

term, for a further two years, at the

discretion of the Council;

• if two consecutive terms of service

have been served (4 years) there

must be a minimum of a year

break before an application can be

submitted to re-join;

• all council members are expected

to attend a minimum two out of the

three meetings throughout the year;

• all council members to alert the

Secretariat of any potential conflicts

of interest;

• the role is unpaid; and

• lunch and refreshments are provided.

If you are interested in joining the

Council, please forward a Cv, with a brief

explanation of what you would hope

to get out of the role, to membership@

hatsoc.org.

governance

PATRON

Baroness Glenys Thornton,

Patron, became a working

Labour peer in 1998. From

1998 - 2008 she has served on various

select committees, and worked on a

huge number of bills passing through the

Lords - most of the legislation concerning

Children, the Disabled and Charities.

In addition to her role as Patron of

the Society, the Baroness is also Patron

of Social Enterprise UK, a Governor of

the London School of Economics and,

from her appointment in 2015, the Chief

Executive of the young Foundation.

ASSISTIvE TECHNOLOGy PRACTITIONER issue 3

contact the secretariat We want to hear from our members, whether you have questions to ask, issues to raise or some experience you want to share with other practitioners.

For general queries: T: 0207 702 2141E: info@hatsoc.org

For membership queries: T: 0207 702 2141E: membership@hatsoc.org

Philip Woodward, Accreditation and Professional Development Manager

T: 0207 702 2141E: philip.woodward@hatsoc.org

you can also follow us on Twitter for the latest news and updates: @hatsoc

recruitment to the council – calling all members!

advisory Board

The Advisory Board is Chaired by our

Patron, Baroness Glenys Thornton.

A body of senior figures from the

industry, either practising or retired, that

advise the society Council and make

recommendations for long term growth

and the achievement of corporate aims

and objectives. The Board do not instruct

the Society Council but advise it.

society council

The Society Council is the main

administrative body of the Society with

the following responsibilities:

• to ensure standards and the corporate

aims and objectives

• to oversee the achievement of

membership growth, renewal and retention

targets, as set out in the business plan

• debate/discuss procedural matters

relating to the running of the Society

• to monitor and analyse trends in

membership growth, renewals and

retention

• to report to and advise the Advisory

Board on matters concerning the

management of the Society

• to meet three times a year.

meet the council

meet the advisory Board

8

18th & 19th October 2015 / NEC Birmingham

David, Primacare

Linda, Freerider

Daniel, TGA

Matt, MK Battery

Tom, Flexel

Mark, Able2

Elaine, Electric Mobility

Mark, Karma

Meet over 150 suppliers

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TRADEDAYS_A4_ADVERT_JULY15.indd 1 14/07/2015 15:00