February / March 2008

Bentley Graduates!

On Saturday 19 January, Bentley, the Mobility Dog that was part of the Allied Medical team for most of 2005 and 2006 graduated as a fully certified Mobility Dog. Bentley has been partnered with Barry de Geest (who also has great taste when it comes to powerchairs!) and will now spend all his time making life easier for Barry.

Some of Bentley’s core tasks are to pick up things for Barry that he has dropped, open doors and even put his bowl on the counter for his food to be served into!

We are so proud of you Bentley – and are really pleased for Barry as we know Bentley will be a great companion and friend!

Introducing the new Quantum R4000 Powerchair

After building a staunch reputation, not to mention devoted following, with their Blast powerchair series, Quantum Rehab have hit back with their latest rear-wheel-drive creation; the Quantum R4000 powerchair. Without question, the R4000 is pitched at the same core group that found the Blast such a good match – those clients that don’t want to wait for anything, regardless of where that anything may be.

Based around a long-wheel-base chassis, the R4000 hangs from its structure a pair of monstrous American-made 4-pole motors that deliver prodigious amounts of torque to ensure the R4000 has no trouble felling the tough stuff, and when coupled with the R4000’s PG Remote Plus drive control system, rated at maximum power of 100-amps, the overall drive of the chair is something stunning.

Thanks to the chairs Quantum Rehab roots, every one of the Synergy seating systems is 100% compatible with this new powerbase, meaning that drive experience can be further enhanced through the use of the rehab industry’s leading modular powered seating system. From fixed seat frames, to tilt’in’space units, to recline, to high-low, the elevating legs – the bases are well and truly covered!!!

Funding challenges and trial equipment

One thing is certain (unfortunately) throughout the world in the rehabilitation products industry; there are always going to be funding challenges. In New Zealand we know this only too well and given the current Ministry of Health funding challenges, in line with the increased demand for products for people with disabilities, we think it’s a good time to reflect on how fortunate we actually are in New Zealand.

As we all know New Zealand has an ageing population, and thanks to medical and technological advances, more and more people who have disabilities are able to get on with living independently thanks to the great equipment that is available (and here in New Zealand we have access to the world’s best).

It’s highly unlikely that anyone who is working in the Disability Directorate of the Ministry of Health is happy with the current funding challenges and we’re sure that behind the scenes they are doing what they can to get additional budget for this sector.

So, we will be continuing to trial equipment as per usual but we ask that before you request the equipment, you ensure that the client you are trialling the item for is actually a Priority One client. This will help us ensure that our equipment goes to the people who have the most urgent need for it.

When you have the trial equipment, please aim to keep the trial within the 5 day trial period and advise us as soon as possible if the trial has been successful or not. In some cases, we will be able to allow you to leave the equipment with the client, but we need to discuss the circumstances with you and authorise this on a case-by-case basis.

On a positive note, it’s an election year, so it’s going to be really interesting to hear what each of the parties will be offering the disability community and how their policies will align with the New Zealand Disability Strategy. Watch this space, as we’ll keep you up to date with what we hear in regard in the coming months.

Show Your Ability 2008

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