The British Healthcare Association (BHTA) is the UK's oldest and largest healthcare association (founded in 1917).

Its membership - of some 380 companies employing over 17,000 people - comprises both large and small businesses across the many non-pharmaceutical sectors of the healthcare industry, manufacturing, supplying and serving those with special physical needs and specialist healthcare areas, too. The products they make and supply are as varied as wheelchairs and scooters, stairlifts, seating and positioning products, patient support surfaces, rehabilitation products, stoma and continence products, aids and services for visually impaired people, and even prosthetics and orthotics.

The BHTA represents large and small companies, organised in one or more sections covering most sectors of the industry. This unique sectional structure provides a platform for all companies to have effective voice within BHTA and, through the Association, to influence the development of healthcare policies in the UK.

The Code of Practice


At the heart of the BHTA is the code of practice, which sets out the standards that we, as members, must meet to demonstrate best practice in our business dealings. The Code of Practice is recognised as the UK industry standard and means that member companies trade ethically and professionally. The Code has achieved Stage One of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Consumer Codes Approval Scheme and we are providing evidence that the Code is working in practice to achieve their Stage Two approval.

Every member must adhere to a strict Code of Practice, which sets out what is expected from a member company. Key features and benefits of BHTA's code are:

• protection of prepayments or deposits paid by consumers in the event that a BHTA member is unable to meet a promise to deliver goods or services.

• an independent redress scheme (arbitration, free to consumers).

• independent disciplinary procedures with a range of sanctions, including warnings and ultimately termination of membership, to deal with non-complaint members.

• comprehensive monitoring procedures including inspection visits by independent inspectors, mystery shopping exercises and a consumer satisfaction survey.

What the BHTA do


The BHTA is pro-active in seeking out issues and looking ahead - which we believe is necessary to be effective at all levels of healthcare. The BHTA are here to:

• provide a platform to discuss issues and influence healthcare policy in the UK.

• represent large and small companies across the many sectors of the healthcare industry.

• be responsive to the concerns and needs of member companies.

More than ever consumers are looking for reassurance that they have chosen a reputable organisation.

BHTA Services


Membership of the BHTA is the simplest and most effective way of providing this. They offer a comprehensive selection of services and benefits, provided by a value for money and cost effective secretariat. By becoming a member Shreddies Intimate Apparel have an effective voice in all of this:

• Provision of industry forum/round table discussions and networking opportunities.

• Code of Practice.

• Complaints Conciliation Service for use by both the public and Shreddies as a company.

• Seminars and conferences on topics of the moment.

• Annual Conference and independent Living Design Awards.

• Free legal assistance (30 minutes consultation).

• Periodical newsletters and weekly information updates.

• Accreditation and Registration scheme for Shreddies employees.

• Facilitation of training and education.

• Exclusive BHTA-member Preferential Insurance Scheme and services for Shreddies and Shreddies employees.

• Direct access to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

• Meetings with healthcare service officials and professionals.

• Wide ranging contacts with associated charities, trade and patient groups.

• Continuing membership of a wide range of policy committees at government and patient level (eg. the National Patient Safety Agency)

• Participation in standards work through BSI, ISO, CEN.

• Membership and active participation in EUROM VI - Europe's premier medical devices trade body giving direct access to EU facilities.

Services for Individuals Working in the Industry


The BHTA Registration Scheme - BHTA Registered Persons

The BHTA has launched an exciting initiative for people working in the assistive technologies sector - the skills and experience of whom has previously gone largely unacknowledged. The BHTA Registration Scheme aims to recognise our job competence and raise standards, in turn giving members of the public, and professionals, the confidence that if they deal with a BHTA Registered Person they are dealing with someone they can trust.

Every registered individual has an identity card and a certificate of proof of his registration (and at what level). There is a special Code of Conduct for the scheme, too, which every member agrees to follow.