Abacus and The Occupational Therapy Service to deliver seminars at all Spring DFG Champions Roadshows

Abacus Specialist Bathroom Solutions, in association with The Occupational Therapy Service, will be presenting insightful talks at all the Spring season DFG Champions Roadshows organised by Foundations UK.

Part of the Gainsborough Healthcare Group, Abacus is a specialist UK manufacturer of accessible care baths for domestic bathrooms, respite centres and rehabilitation facilities. It works closely with families, Occupational Therapists, Disabled Facilities Grant teams and HIA/housing professionals to ensure the needs of bathers with disabilities are met appropriately, safely and sustainably. Abacus works alongside The Occupational Therapy Service to enhance its clinical approach, reasoning and delivery of DFG funded bathroom adaptations.

Foundations UK is the national body for Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs), Handyperson Services and the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) in England. In support of this organisation, Abacus has been a long-standing contributor to its Roadshows. As an exhibitor, housing and healthcare delegates have been able to discuss their client case load on a one-to-one basis with a view to exploring the most appropriate assisted bathing solutions for disabled residents.

As a speaker at the Spring Roadshows, Adam Ferry, OT and Director of The Occupational Therapy Service will deliver the following seminar:

Maximising the impact of DFGs – when is bathing necessary and appropriate

Synopsis

This session will explore our use of DFGs and reflect on potential conflicts created by its application.  Bathing will be used as an example to explore ‘want and exception’ from engagement in activity and if preconceived ideas, or habitual practice shapes recommendations.  We will discuss the terms ’necessary and appropriate’ in the context of bathing to consider how, or why this may or may not be applied to bathing adaptations.

Learning outcomes

  • Consider the conflict between Care Act assessment and DFG criteria
  • Reflect on bathing as a meaningful activity and whether that influences the outcome
  • Discuss and challenge the process of determination of necessary and appropriate

Alongside Adam, Product Assessment Managers from Abacus will be on hand to provide all the latest advice, literature and support regarding Abacus bathroom installations and the process of funding through a DFG. Delegates are warmly invited to:

DFG Champions Roadshow 2025 (Spring series)

Newcastle – 26th February
Crowne Plaza Newcastle, Stephenson Quarter, an IHG Hotel, Forth Street,
Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 3SA. 09:00 – 15:30.

Manchester – 5th March
King’s House Conference Centre, 49-51 Sidney Street, Manchester. M1 7HB. 09:00 – 15:30.

Nottingham – 13th March
Crowne Plaza Nottingham, an IHG Hotel, Wollaton Street, Nottingham. NG1 5RH. 09:00 – 15:30.

Plymouth – 19th March
Crowne Plaza Plymouth, an IHG Hotel, Armada Way, Plymouth. PL1 2HJ. 09:00 – 15:30.

London – 9th and 10th April
Clayton Hotel Chiswick, 626 Chiswick High Road, London. W4 5RY. 09:00 – 15:30.