British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA)

The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) is one of the UK`s oldest and largest healthcare associations (founded in 1917). Its membership - of some 400 companies employing over 17,000 people - comprises both large and small businesses across the many non-pharmaceutical and assistive technology 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, electronic communication devices, rehabilitation products, stoma and continence products, first aid equipment, aids and services for children and for visually impaired people, and even prosthetics and orthotics. The BHTA represents large and small companies, organised in one or more of 13 sections covering most sectors of the industry. This unique sectional structure provides a platform for all companies to have an effective voice within BHTA and, through the Association, to influence the development of healthcare policies in the UK. At the heart of our association is the Code of Practice, which sets out the standards that all members must meet to demonstrate best practice in their business dealings. The Code of Practice - the first for consumers in the healthcare industry - has achieved approval under the Trading Standard Institute's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme and means that member companies trade ethically and professionally.