Leisure Centre Benefits from Pool Lift, Hoist and Nursing Bench

Wolverton Swimming and Fitness Centre in Milton Keynes is a great example of a leisure centre complying with the Equality Act after having two hoists and a changing bench installed by Dolphin Mobility, a leading national supplier of pool lifts and hoists. Under the Equality Act 2010, all leisure centres are required to have the necessary equipment to ensure their facilities are accessible to all users, regardless of their level of disability. These regulations cover everything from ramped access and changing facilities, to assistance with entering and exiting the pool.

Disabled Access Hoists

To comply with these regulations, the centre’s management team invested in an Oxford Dipper pool hoist, BHM V5 Voyager Duo ceiling hoist, and height adjustable Pressalit nursing bench from Dolphin Mobility, to ensure the centre’s disabled members could fully use the facilities. Nick Palmer, Duty Manager at the centre, said: “Investing in this equipment has enabled staff members to help individuals with conditions such as cerebral palsy to access the pool and has given more of our members the chance to swim and take part in swimming-related activities such as therapy sessions, which is great.”

Leisure Centre Hoists

Swimming provides a wealth of benefits for people with limited mobility, including increased confidence, independence and a means to keep fit, together with aquatic therapy for those who require rehabilitation or physiotherapy for their mobility. In addition, swimming is an excellent way in which people can feel more integrated into the community and meet like-minded individuals.

Nick added: “Both hoists and the changing bench are used at least three to four times a week and all staff members have been trained to use them. There is no need to pre-book the equipment; all members have to do is inform us when they arrive and we set it up for them.”

Christian Dunnage, a Director at Dolphin Mobility, said: “As approved pool hoist suppliers to many local councils around the country, we can offer truly independent advice to our customers. We are delighted that Wolverton Swimming and Fitness Centre chose us to supply their equipment. We believe it is just as important for disabled people to take part in activities and keep fit as it is for the able bodied, and our products are designed to be as simple as possible to operate for both staff members and users, in order to help make this possible.”

Ceiling Hoist Solutions

Ideal for use in swimming pools, therapy pools and quayside locations, the Oxford Dipper pool hoist is both flexible and highly functional, making it extremely user friendly. The Oxford Dipper is hydraulically operated and is a proven, reliable and safe method of gaining access to the water with a lifting capacity of 140kg (22 stone). The model can be used with a spreader bar and sling arrangement or the Ranger transporter chair.

The BHM V5 Voyager Duo Ceiling Hoist, which has been installed in one of the centre’s changing rooms, enables carers to safely transfer users from their wheelchair to the bench. With a lifting capacity of 220lbs (100kg) and the option of increasing this to 440lbs (200kg), the hoist is suitable for use in a wide range of care and domestic environments, together with commercial settings, and has proven to be invaluable to the staff at the centre.

Changing Places Bench

The Pressalit nursing bench has an electric motor which folds the bench against the wall when not in use and is suitable for changing facilities, hygiene rooms and home adaptations. The height of the bench can be adjusted from 500mm to 900mm above the floor to accommodate for different user heights.

“The equipment from Dolphin Mobility has made a real difference to everyone at the centre and feedback we have received from users, carers and staff members has been extremely positive,” concluded Nick.

For more information on Pool Hoists please contact Dolphin on 01276 856060 or you can send an email to info@dolphinlifts.co.uk. Demonstrations are available in some parts of the UK.

Hoist Products

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