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Bath boards and seats (1999) (view report contents)

Buying guide

Combinations tested

The boards and seats were tested in the combinations shown in the summaries. Where only a board is shown this is because the seat it was tested with is no longer available. In some cases the boards and seats were made to be used together. In others therapists chose combinations which worked well. If you want to buy a different combination of a board and seat, ask your supplier if they can be used with each other.

Boards

The most comfortable boards were simply those which were softer, felt warm and did not get waterlogged.
The padded board (£25) from Smith and Nephew was comfortable and easy to fit, and had no major drawbacks except that it could get slippery. The Ascot (£82) was a combined board and seat. It was expensive, but the seat had a padded backrest. Because it was in one piece it was heavy. Some people found that the board pressed into their backs and some said is was slippery when wet.

Of the rest, the cork covered board (£18) also from Smith and Nephew was liked because it felt warm. It was easy to fit, although it would not fit on to a narrow bath. The Brentwood (£15) was comfortable and cheap although it was difficult to adjust, and you had to drain it because it filled with water at times.

Some people found the grab rail on the Rufus (£36) useful. It was the only board to have this feature. The board was comfortable to use.

Seats

Apart from the Ascot (see above) the Avon (£38) was the only seat tested which was padded. It had a cutaway seat. However some people found that the seat was difficult to fit and some thought it was slippery. Two other brands had optional padded seats – Rentwood (£38 for the padded version) was fiddly to fit, and the Farnham (£45 for their padded model).

If you have a wide bath, the Medici (£18) was adjustable up to 61cm. It was hard to adjust, but this should only have to be done once – check that it is firm before you use it.

The Savanah (£23) was reasonably priced, had small drainage holes and a cutaway seat and had no major drawbacks.

 

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Introduction
Things to look for
Buying guide
Fitting and using a bath board or seat
Getting a board or seat
Help with money
Useful addresses
Checklist
Credits

Boards

Seats