Stepping Up to Address Funding Delays

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With the delay in panel funding decisions, AAT’s re-issue- aka re-prescription- can help OT clients gain access and mobility within their home environment quickly, and for less than £1500!

elderly man with impaired mobility comes down stairs using a stairclimbing wheelchair
S-Max stairclimbing wheelchair in action

S-Max stairclimber (http://www.aatgb.com/s-max/) can deliver safe stairway access within days (where relevant and suitable).

It works as a permanent solution or managing risk in the short term whilst funding for an alternative adaptation is arranged. 

Battery-powered S-Max carries the disabled person up, down stairs safely and smoothly. The process is controlled by the carer

S-Max’s design and function means there is no installation/attachment to the building fabric. 

S-Max can complete the stairway navigation and continue onward, eliminating transfer at the top or bottom of the flight. 

Critically in these days of budget constraint and delay, when the S-Max is no longer needed by the original recipient, OTs can re-issue/ re-prescribe it to another. 

Our re-issue- including a full PEOP assessment, servicing of the stairclimber, setting it up for the new user and training of their carer(s)- costs <£1500. It helps overcome the delay in panel funding decisions.

Peter Wingrave AAT Director explains:

“The latest data available shows more than two-thirds of Councils exceeded the required 12 months for DFG-funded adaptations.

Even equipment that only requires panel funding is taking longer than usual because of delays in the decision making process.

“Taking advantage of our unique re-issue facility means that risk is managed, quickly and cost-effectively.

“Councils are constantly being urged to think outside the box to address the continuing adaptation delay.

"The success of our re-issue programme is proving this re-prescription approach is a proven, best value way to achieve safe home access quickly.”

Full details of our re-issue are explained here: https://www.aatgb.com/ots/. or...

Re- issue explained:

One AAT stairclimber, numerous clients supported.

Because our stairclimbers are not fixed equipment, they can be easily re-prescribed (re-issued) to another client when the original recipient no longer needs it.

It means the risk of navigating stairs with reduced mobility is eliminated. 

Whether a short-term answer whilst a larger, more permanent adaptation is delivered, or a long-term solution, your client’s home environment is made safe.

As part of the process, we support you in a full PEOP assessment (and if for whatever reason it’s not suitable, we’ll say so!). We service your existing stairclimber. We personally set it up for your client. We personally train their carer(s)1.

All for <£15002

Best value achieved: with the average AAT stairclimber having a 12 year lifespan, the total cost including the initial purchase and re-issue to on average 3 different people works out at <£800/year3. Stairs made safe for multiple clients.

No delay. 

No “making good” inherent with alternative stair transfer solutions. 

  1. See T&Cs- up to 4 carers trained as standard, others by separate arrangement
  2. Excluding any additional accessories etc
  3. Sella purchase price £4650, re-issue x 3 @ £1499/ re-issue/12 years (lifespan of. Sella) = £762/annum
Title:
Stepping Up to Address Funding Delays
Tags:
adaptation-funding, home-adaption, mobility, occupational-therapy, social-care, social-care-funding, stairs
Date:
27/11/2025
Author:
Angela May
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