Page 76 - BHTA 100 years

included an improvement in device evaluation, improved training and education on medical devices for NHS staff, building R & D capacity and improving public understanding of the safety and value of medical devices. Ray Hodgkinson commented: “This report really puts assistive technology on the map, at the heart of healthcare in the UK and will help to drive new technologies and innovation.”
After many years being located in Sevenoaks, it was time for a new home, with a move back to London and to New Loom House, which was formerly a textile weaving mill. Only a few minutes’ walk from a tube station, the new of ces cost no more in rent or rates than the of ces in Sevenoaks and were described as being ‘a lot more accessible for members wanting to visit the secretariat’.
At the BHTA Conference later in the year, the keynote speaker was Andrew Lansley MP who was, at the time, Shadow Secretary of State for Health. He told a packed room what might be expected if
the government changed in the future.
Substantial changes to the structure of the Association took place at the end of 2005, with the Board of Management becoming Directors who would then attend Council as observers with the Council consisting of the Chairmen of the Sections.
In 2006, two years following the implementation of the Code of Practice, the Association was hopeful that it would soon receive the long- awaited Of ce of Fair Trading Stage 1 approval. It came in the summer and Prime Minister Tony Blair led messages of support.
There were also messages of support from plenty of other people too.
Bert Massie of the Disability Rights Commission said: “Disabled people deserve and are entitled
BHTA 100 years
“Memories from...Sarah Lepak
The adoption of a consumer
code of practice has elevated
the Association and all our members
to a new position of responsibility, with members taking on what are now legal obligations when they join; to inform customers that they are a member; participate in complaints resolution and abide by what is in the Code (and given its content, this means they go above and beyond the strict letter of the law). The striking thing about our members has always been how much they care about their customers and the lengths
to which they go to help them. It is what makes working for the Association s”o unique.