equipment

K2

Hi Guys
does anybody know of any websites for bathroom and bedroom equipment? (preferably ROI)

Victor

I presume what you are looking for is something that complies with Part M of the Building Regulations. Many manufactures can provide the whole bathroom in a single kit. If you need to, do some more searching for shower seats and bath lifts.

This website lists some Irish bathroom suppliers http://www.kellysearch.com/ie-product-7062.html

Some more sites:

http://www.qualceram-shires.com/Disabled_prodcuts.htm
http://www.twyfordbathrooms.com/
http://www.thebathroom.info/

Come back to me if you need anything. Pipers might also be of assistance. http://www.pipersplumbing.com

K2

thanks victor, there is some info on the qualceram-shires site. I'm trying to be informed before visting some show rooms in Dublin.

Victor

Originally posted by K2
thanks victor, there is some info on the qualceram-shires site. I'm trying to be informed before visting some show rooms in Dublin.

Be very wary of buying from a show room - let your builder / plumber buy them wholesale - it cuts out the middle man (well one of them ) and the consequent time and cost issues.

K2

what I really want to do is get the bathroom fittings and hoist/tracking system from the one supplier. I've had a decent response from a few phone calls and the brochures are starting to arrive.

Victor

Don't be afraid to go with different suppliers (within reason) if one doesn't provide the optimum for your requirements or is more expensive than another. Obviously, you may want to factor in colours and accessories.

Falkorre

Also, before you buy or install anything, its worthwhile talking to and getting the advice of a good occupational therapist (O.T.) as they can often tell you if they have had any problems with particular devices or systems you may not be aware of.

The health board or the National Disability Authority, or indeed the CRC (Central Remedial Clinic) In clontarf, can give you a list of OT's or even provide an OT if the client has a medical card.

B

K2

o/t 's in Mayo are like hens teeth. We have finally managed to bully Western Care and the Western Health board into providing one. The o/t in western care has stopped taking all new cases and has taken all children off her books (100 approx) so we are getting our original o/t from the health board back. It seems like the simple and obvious solution but you would not believe the crap we have had to go thro to get one.

When dealing with faceless beaurocrats my wife and I have learnt two important phrases to use - discrimination and health and safety issue, oh and they don't like it in writing as a record exists as opposed to a phone call. The next time you get a payslip have a look at the tax you have paid and wonder where it has gone cos it ain't going into the health services.

K2

well we finally had a vist from an o/t, sadly that's all we may get, one vist. She has suggested a couple of things for the bathroom, the most notable is this; apparently the disabled toilets kits are rubbish - she reckons whoever designed them was drunk at the time, she has told us to get a regular toilet but leave a 12" gap between it and the wall, this allows room for a shower chair. That's one expensive mistake avoided.

Has anybody got any personal experience on what works for them or mistakes they may have made / encountered in having a bathroom fitted?

Next on our list is the co. co., the citizens advice bureau reckons we should go to the ombudsman (or should that be woman ) if our appeal fails, as other counties are giving the full 20K why not mayo co. co.

Victor

K2, what type of scenario are we talking about? Wheelchair only, or are their other requirements?

Consider the space you have inside and does the door need adjustment.

K2

wheelchair eventually, no mobility at all, v. limited use of arms and hands ie requiring total care for dressing, washing, getting into and out of bed. My son is only 3yo so this work has to take into account his needs for future years. We are building as big as we can afford (and then some) so neither room (bed or bath) is small (cannot remember the exact sq metres but is approx 55sq mtrs). Access throughout the rest of the downstairs of the house is also being converted at the same time and around the side of the house is being tarmaced to allow us to drive right around the back for privacy when getting him in and out of the car (obv. I can still carry him in and out at the moment).

I am happy with the plans we have drawn up, despite the efforts of the faceless penpushers we have managed to get advice from the necessary professions (physios, o/ts etc) but I was hoping to tap into other peoples experiences as this is often more valuable.