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Alternative suppliers of equipment & services
Tower Hamlets Council strongly recommends that professional advice is sought before purchasing expensive equipment. The Disability Living Foundation is a source of expert advice.
We will not reimburse you for any equipment you purchase privately. We are not responsible for repairing, servicing or replacing any equipment, which is purchased privately. All privately purchased equipment is used at your own risk.
You may wish to approach the organisations below if you are not eligible for our service or do not wish to remain on the waiting list. Please remember to shop around to compare prices and look for the best quality and value.
Equipment that has been designed or adapted for people with disabilities is exempt from VAT. Your supplier should give you a form to say you have a disability.
Disabled Living Foundation
Disabled Living Centres (DLC’s) offer a free service. They do not sell products; they provide demonstrations of equipment and give independent advice. You need to make an appointment to make sure someone is there to help you. There are over forty DLC’s throughout the UK.
The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) has an extensive range of equipment on display and therapists who give advice, you will need to make an appointment to visit. The DLF also has a national information service; you can write for advice and detailed equipment lists.
Disabled Living Foundation
380 – 384 Harrow Road
London
W9 2HU
Tel: 020 7289 6111
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RIDC
RIDC is an independent charity that researches and publishes unbiased information on products to enable older and disabled people to live more independently.
Research Institute for Disabled Consumers
Ground floor, Unit 10,
Bleinham Court,
62 Brewery Road,
London,
N7 9NY
Tel: 020 7427 2460
Email: mail@ridc.org.uk
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Centre for Accessible Environments
If you, a builder or an architect needs advice about making your home easier to get into or move around in, the Centre for Accessible Environments has information on adaptations and building work.
Centre for Accessible Environment
70 South Lambeth Road
London
SW8 1RL
Tel: 020 7840 0125
Fax: 020 78405811
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The National Register of Access Consultants
The National Register of Access Consultants has a list of specialist architects.
National Register of Access Consultants
70 South Lambeth Road
London SW8 1RL
Tel: 020 7735 7845
Fax: 020 7840 5811
SMS: 07921 700 089
Email: info@nrac.org.uk.
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Nicholls & Clarke
Nicholls & Clarke is a local supplier of products used in adaptations. An accessible showroom displays the widely used Phlexicare range.
Nicholls & Clarke
41-57 Freshwater Road
Chadwell Heath
Romford Essex
RM8 1SP
Tel: 020 8586 4600
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Shops and suppliers
There are specialist shops in and around London. To check in your local area look under ‘disability equipment’ in the Yellow Pages.
Keep Able
Keep Able is a large shop and there are therapists who will advise you.
Keep Able - London North
615-619 Watford Way
Mill Hill
NW7
Tel: 020 8201 0810
Keep Able – Southern Region
11 – 17 Kingston Road
Staines
TW18 4QX
Tel: 01784 440044
Some chemists also sell easier living aids and Boots Chemist has a mail order catalogue, which is free and can be found in larger stores.
Castle Comfort Stairlifts Ltd
Castle Comfort Stairlifts Ltd offers free no obligation advice and support about all aspects of mobility equipment including helping individuals and families to access grants.
Castle Comfort Stairlifts Ltd
88 Hatton Garden London,
London
EC1N
Tel: 020 7717 9797
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Mail order purchasing
Mail order companies will send you catalogues free of charge, the advantage of purchasing by mail order means you can shop at home and compare prices but you will not be able to get advice, see the equipment or try it first before purchasing.
- remember to get independent advice first – try the Disabled Living Foundation
- ask if they will make a refund if the product does not suit you
- check the postage charges and delivery times
Equipment to buy
Care and mobility
440 Cranbrook Road
Gants Hill
Ilford
1G2 6LL
Tel: 020 8518 3458
RNID – for hearing impaired people
1 Haddonbrook
Orton
Southgate
Peterborough
PE2 6XH
Tel: 01733 232607
Text: 01733 238020
Visit RNID's website
Mobility World Ltd
78 – 80 Station Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 2RX
Tel: 0870 7407782
Keep Able
Flemming Close
Park Farm
Wellingborough
Northants
NN8 3UF
Tel: 01933 679426
British Red Cross
113 Clarenden Park Road
Leicester
LE2 3AH
Tel: 0116 270 1462
Nottingham Rehab
Ways and Means Catalogue
Findel logistics centre
Victoria Business Park
Pintail close
Netherfield
NG4 2SG
Tel: 0845 121 81111
Cosyfeet – footwear specialists
The Tanyard
Leigh Road
Street
Somerset
BA16 OHR
Smith & Nephew
UK sales
Sigings Road
Low Moor Estate
Kirkby-in-Ashfield
Notts
NG2 6HD
Tel: 01623 757955
Promedics
Moorgate Street
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB2 4PB
Tel: 01254 619000
Visit the Promedics website
Partially Sighted Society
Tel: 01302 323132
RNIB – for visually impaired people
Bakewell Road
Orton Southgate
Peterborough
PE2 6XU
Tel: 0845 7023153
Text: 0845 7585691
Visit RNIB's website
Ashdale Healthcare Marketing
FREEPOST NEA 7044
Bridgehouse
HD6 IJE
Comfy Products
Dale House
Armytage Road
Bridgehouse
HD6 IDT
Tel: 0800 555825
Capability Shop
Innervation Centre
211 Porter Bellow
Sheffield
S14 DP
Tel: 01433 631170
Millercare
Unit 24
The Wenta Business Centre
Colne Way
Watford
Herts
WD2 4ND
Tel: 01923 232440
Equipment for hire
The Red Cross
Dalston Lane
Hackney
E8
Tel: 020 7254 7029
Direct Mobility Hire
201A Bury Street
Edmington
N9 9JE
Tel: 020 8807 9830
Fax: 020 8807 4213
British Red Cross Society
Wimbledon Branch
Tuition House
3rd Floor
5 – 6 Francis Grove
London
SW19 4DT
Tel: 020 8542 6016
Home Care Equipment Hire
93 Northcote Road
Clapham
London
SW1
Tel: 020 7924 4058
All Handling Mobility Ltd
492 Kingston Road
Raynes Park
London
SW20 BDX
Tel: 020 8542 2217
Stannah Stairlifts Ltd
Watt Close
East Portway
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 3SD
Tel: 0800 715 455
Visit the Stannah stairlifts website.
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Buying second hand equipment
REMAP GB
If you can’t find what you need… If you have a problem and no equipment exists to help you can contact REMAP; they are professional engineers who may be able to design, manufacture and supply a technical aid.
REMAP GB
D9 Chaucer Business Park
Kemsing Seven
TN15 6YU
Tel: 0845 130 0456
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Mobility equipment & walking aids
Walking aids
Occupational therapy does not supply walking aids. Your GP will refer you to a physiotherapist for a mobility assessment if appropriate.
You could also contact:
Walking Aid Clinic
Mile End Hospital
275 Bancroft Road
London
E1 4DE
Tel: 020 7377 8846
Wheelchair Suppliers
Occupational Therapy does not supply wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are available in a wide variety of designs and with various accessories. Referrals should be made to the Tower Hamlets wheelchair service by your GP.
The wheelchair service supplies wheelchairs and special seating for people with long term and life long needs only. They can also provide advice and information on organisations offering help for users requiring wheelchairs for short-term or occasional use.
Tower Hamlets Wheelchair Service
Mile End Hospital
275 Bancroft Road
London
E1 4DG
Tel: 020 8223 8842
Electric scooter suppliers
Electric scooters are not provided by occupational therapy. These are purchased privately. If you receive disability living allowance or mobility allowance you can use this to help pay for the scooter.
You may also use the motability scheme, which could provide the finance for you to purchase a scooter. For more information contact:
Motability
Route 2 Mobility
Newbury Road
Enham Alamein
Andover
Hampshire
SP11 6JS
Tel: 0845 607 6260
Text: 0126 438 4482
Many companies now sell scooters. They also have showroom facilities and informed staff to allow you to try them. Some companies will bring scooters to your home to ensure the suitability for your environment and terrain where it will be used and enable you to choose a scooter that meets your needs.
Points to remember
- A scooter is expensive. A new scooter could cost £1,400.
- Where will you store your scooter and is there good lighting?
- Can you easily get to and from the scooter and in and out of your property? – It may not be possible for Occupational Therapy to install a ramp to your home.
- Are there any electric points to charge the scooter batteries? – They are expensive and need to be maintained.
- Do you have Insurance? – Take advice on insuring your scooter in case of accidents and consider joining a breakdown service.
- After service – check what follow up services the supplier can provide and the cost.
Please note the occupational therapy service is not obliged to assist with storage, charging, or creating access for your scooter.
Normal eligibility criteria would apply.
These are a few suppliers for Electric Scooters
GBL Wheelchair Services
Unit 12 Mount Road
Hanworth
Middlesex
TW13 6AR
Tel: 020 8867 2461
Keep Able Centre
11 – 17 Kingston Road
Staines
Middlesex
TW1 4QK
Tel: 01748 440044
Lifelong
215 Kingston Road
Ewell
KG19 0AB
Tel: 020 8394 0444
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