What is the BHTA

The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) is one of the oldest healthcare association in the UK representing the healthcare and assistive technology industry. Our members commit to the BHTA Code of Practice, the only one in the industry to be approved by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute – make or sell healthcare and assistive technology products that help people live more independently.

Our members adhere to a Code of Practice ensuring you get advice and guidance about the products you need to maintain your independence. The Code of Practice has been granted approval under the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme (CCAS).

After (CCAS) BHTA actively monitors that members comply with the code and is audited annually itself by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

Members guarantee not to pressure sell any products, but instead work with you to help you find the best solutions for now and your future independence needs.

Our members have a wealth of experience and can guide you through a professional product assessment to ensure the products you select are exactly right for your own circumstances.

BHTA member companies operate to higher standards of customer protection than the law requires. If you want to see if the Company you are dealing with is a member use the search function on the BHTA website. Search a member here

Stairlifts and mobility products are mainly for elderly people and sometimes this group are the most vulnerable in our society. Consumer law prohibits traders from using misleading, underhand or aggressive tactics to influence a customer’s decision.

Inappropriate selling tactics

The BHTA gives examples of what it calls ‘inappropriate selling tactics’ in its code of practice. These include:

• An unreasonably long stay for sales in the home
• A high initial price followed by the offer of a discount (often followed by a telephone call to the ‘manager’)
• A discount on the condition that the consumer agrees to the sale that day Inducements to force a quick decision
• Withholding price information until the end of the sales discussion/visit Alleging limited availability of a product Misrepresentation of the product, price or contract.

There are things you can do to research and prepare for a home visit so you’ll know the right questions to ask and can easily see through dodgy sales practices.

If you want to read the BHTA Code of Practice you can download it by clicking here