It meant that BSTA welcomed more than 70 new members, taking the total to 260, a 40% increase since the 1992 AGM.
Geoff Seal Right), Chairman of BAWD at the AGM when the organisation joined the Association. He is pictured with BSTA’s Ron Kendrew.
Memories from… Kay Purnell
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When I started attending the BHTA Rehabilitation Section meetings in the mid 90’s one of the hot topics of conversation was the disparity in VAT exemption for disability equipment across the UK. At the time we had ADL sales operations in Glasgow and Birmingham and had to produce different sets of literature to accommodate different VAT exemption agreements.
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Peter Smith of Ross Care Centres, in Liverpool, was a key figure in BAWD and he wrote about the merger at the time, saying that it was a build-up of both internal and external pressures that, in his opinion, had meant the merger was inevitable and desirable. He wrote: “The success of BAWD in its growth had meant an increase in Committee time spent on routine administration which made it clear that a more professional and full time secretariat function was needed.” He also suggested that the market was becoming more demanding. “NHS reforms in the wheelchair service, changes in government legislation, wheelchairs standards, a huge growth in both suppliers and customers, Motability – all these factors were making the market more complex. Some of these issues also involved a wider group than BAWD members. The need to consult with and act with a larger group was becoming apparent if BAWD was to maintain its influence and have its voice heard.”
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