Handles on Bath

jayoh

Hi... on behalf of my BIL, could some tell me if they know whether it's necessary as regards to the Housing Act, that Baths have handles?

My BIL lives in a Housing Association house and his bath has no handles. He has a young son and also had an accident about 3 months ago which means he currently doesn't have the full use of his right arm... are they required by law to ensure his bath has handles? Without them it makes getting in and out of the bath very difficult!!

Your advice would be appreciated!!

ormus

seeing that 99% of baths are sold without handles..........

try,
http://www.screwfix.com/cats/A334778/Bathrooms/Care-Range/Accessories

jayoh

Thanks for that 'helpful' response... I was looking more at a response on housing regulations than the actual practical side of obtaining handles... but thanks!

ormus

the first line of my response is very helpful.
the second line is a very practical solution.

Peartree

I don't quite understand why you are taking the 'legal requirements', thus suggesting, 'legal action' route. I don't think there is a legal requirement for all HA rental housing to be equipped for those with mobility difficulties.

If your BIL has a disability, he should talk to his GP/social services, who will arrange for someone to come out and do an assessment. My friend , for example, recently, contacted her local social services who came out to her mother's home, did an assessment, and then arranged for the fitting of a whole range of handles and mobility aids free of charge - and this is a private home. It might take a bit of persistence but this support is there for those who need it.

In the interim of sorting out baths/handles and so on, a rubber mat in the bath (very cheaply available) can make a big difference for people whose mobility is limited in getting in and out of the bath. It reduces the 'slipperiness' underfoot and means you don't have to rely quite so much on the strength of your arms. It might help a bit until you get the more complicated changes sorted out.

27col

Presumably, if it was a legal requirement to have bath handles in HA housing, it would have been built with them.
Your response to ormus is, to say the least, a bit churlish. Why is it that people always seem to think that their problems should have been foreseen by someone else. In any event there was no injury until 3 months ago. I doubt that your BIL even noticed that there were no handles on the bath ,until a requirement for them arose.

ormus

yes you can contact the local council (who may or may not) give you some bath aids.
they can & do take ages to do anything. i know a case where it took them 10 months to fit a handrail.
hence my link to buying a wall handle for say a tenner. i reckon the boys life is possibly worth more than that.