The fifth annual BHTA awards dinner took place recently in London and was attended by over 200 people to celebrate the best in design and customer service.
In addition to three Independent Living Awards, there were Excellence Awards presented for companies active in the mobility, orthotics, prosthetics and rehab sectors. There was also the retailer of the year award, team of the year and the Lifetime Service Award too.
Voters had an opportunity to support companies that they felt had provided great service through the Voting Booth on the BHTA website. In addition to voting, visitors also took the chance to leave comments of support which ranged from one liners such as…'they never let me down', ‘always professional' and ‘best supplier this year by far' to a 350 word message detailing why the company concerned was getting support.
And it's clear that the healthcare industry includes some very special companies, with supporting comments such as ‘the best supplier in the world' and ‘probably the most professional company that I have ever dealt with'.
The Independent Living Design awards, which form part of the BHTA annual award dinner are now in their 15th year.A judging panel of industry experts choose the three products that are recognised.
In third place this year was a product that has now truly realised its potential and provided feedback from delighted users. Launched in 2007, the Peristeen Anal Irrigation from Coloplast has improved the lives of thousands of users and is now being used by both children and adults to manage their faecal incontinence with outstanding results. One user described it as the best invention since penicillin!
The product in second place, Flexy Foot, uses the same suspension technology as a 4x4 vehicle. It replaces the standard rubber ferrule found on all walking canes, frames and walkers. The integral bellows pivot to maximise contact area with the ground, provide 50% more grip than a standard ferrule, rotate a full 360 degrees for maximum support, and have increased shock absorbency. User's comments have included "Great grip even in the wet” and "I feel better and can walk over rough surfaces”
The winner of the Independent Living Awards in 2010 can literally speak for itself. The use of Picture Exchange Communication has been in use for a long time now particularly in the classroom and homes of children with severe communication difficulties including autism.
The Prox Talker from Logan Technology takesthis method into acompletely new era. Using either the signs and symbols that the user is familiar with or brand new ones that can be added, the product speaks the word, sound or sentence shown in the picture by simply placing it over a large easy to press button. Robustly built to withstand the rigours of use by boisterous children, the product can transform life for families with non verbal children, opening up scope for them to talk on the telephone, order food in restaurants and talk with their families and peers.
The award for the best mobility product supplier went to Van Os Medical Ltd, while the award in the rehabilitation sector went to Careflex Ltd. Trulife Ltd was presented with the best orthotic product supplier award and the prosthetic award went to Opcare Ltd
Voted the best retailer this year was Mobility Scotland Ltd and Lyn Palmer and Derek Hill of Tremorvah Industries were presented with the Employee of the year award. The team of the year came from South Yorkshire Ostomy Supplies and this year's Lifetime Service Award went to Geoff Seal who was a Director of Beard Bros for many years and has supported the BHTA in various roles throughout his career in the industry.
ENDS
For further information or photographs of the winners, please contact Stephen Rigg at the BHTA on 0207 702 2141