With stairs being the most common hazard in the home - a risk exacerbated when someone has impaired mobility - AAT is giving local authority social care teams a best value tool to manage safety, fast.

Falls and manual handling are among the most common personal injury claims lodged against Councils, the bill for which now tops £100m.

Minimising risk is therefore a growing priority.

Thus, AAT has developed its recycling (re-issue) package, whereby its stairclimbers already purchased by the Local Authority can be re-allocated and in use within a matter of days.

That the stairclimber can be collected from stores or the previous user and taken direct to the new potential client, without the delay of arranging for the client to travel to a demonstration site for a stairlift or similar device, further accelerates the speed with which the risk is managed.

No other stairway access system can be delivered so cost-effectively, so fast, AAT believes.

AAT’s recycling scheme can be utilised by almost every Local Authority in the UK, as almost all have kit in stock among in its equipment.

'With budgets under so much pressure, every opportunity to make every £ work as hard as possible must be taken,' says Peter Wingrave, AAT Director.

'It’s not just about the money. It is about quality of life- and safety- for the vast number of client awaiting adaptations to their homes. It is about supporting OTs and adaptations teams to effect a solution- whether short or long-term- quickly. It is about helping their- and their clients’- mental health & wellbeing.'

Leeds City Council is one Authority already making use of AAT’s recycling scheme, to the extent AAT manages the Councils’ stairclimber stock too.

Says Leeds City Council Occupational Therapy Team Manager Jane Fisher: 'Funds and time are under pressure now more than ever. This means we can quickly empower clients to still be able to access all levels of their home, with the peace of mind that the right kit is being supplied, maintained and serviced, and in full working order.'

Full details of AAT’s re-issue facility can be found here: https://www.aatgb.com/taking-steps-to-reduce-adaptation-delay-for-650-recycle/.