British Healthcare Trades Association

04/08/2026

Tender opportunity 🔔
BHTA members providing stoma care services and appliances are encouraged to review a new tender opportunity from NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) for a community-based stoma care service in Barnsley and Sheffield.

🔗 https://www.bhta.com/south-yorkshire-community-stoma-care-tender/

Tenders must be submitted by 12pm on 4 September 2026.

03/08/2026

Tender opportunity 🔔
BHTA members supplying and installing home adaptation equipment are encouraged to review a new tender opportunity from Cambridge City Council.

🔗 https://www.bhta.com/cambridge-home-adaptation-tender/

The tender submission deadline is 12pm on 28 August 2026.

Cambridge City Council seeks suppliers for a £2.6 million home adaptation tender covering ramps, lifts, hoists, entry systems, and specialist toilets.

30/07/2026

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has brought Baroness Louise Casey’s review of adult social care forward by a year, as he set out an ambition to establish a national care service and argued that reform is essential to reducing pressure on the NHS. Read here:

The BHTA responds to the Prime Minister’s plans for social care reform, including a national care service, an accelerated Casey review, and NHS pressures.

28/07/2026

Tender opportunity 🔔
BHTA members involved in accessible bathrooms, independent living equipment, and property adaptations are encouraged to review a new tender opportunity from Karbon Homes. Contractors will deliver aids and adaptations across Karbon Homes properties, and homes within its cost-sharing vehicle, throughout North East England.

🔗 https://www.bhta.com/karbon-homes-aids-adaptations-tender/

Completed tenders must be submitted by 12pm on 31 August 2026.

28/07/2026

The collapse of NRS Healthcare exposed serious weaknesses across the community equipment and Technology Enabled Care sectors. The newly published Lessons Learned Review examines how the failure happened, how services responded, and the urgent steps needed to strengthen financial resilience, oversight and long-term market stability.

Read BHTA’s response and what this means for the future of essential services that help people live safely and independently at home. Read here:

BHTA responds to the NRS Lessons Learned Review, calling for stronger oversight, sustainable commissioning and a more resilient community equipment market.

28/07/2026

Clear, proportionate and future-ready regulation is essential for the powered mobility sector.

It gives users confidence, helps responsible businesses innovate and ensures that safety remains central as technology develops.

Our latest article considers the current regulatory landscape and why collaboration between government, industry, healthcare professionals and mobility-device users will be vital to achieving meaningful reform.

The continued work of theWheelchair Alliance and Karen Pearce has been instrumental in keeping wheelchair users’ voices and experiences at the heart of this important debate.

Explore the article: https://www.bhta.com/powered-mobility-regulation/

23/07/2026

Tender opportunity 🔔
BHTA members supplying specialist wheelchairs and postural support solutions are encouraged to review a new tender opportunity from NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership.

🔗 https://www.bhta.com/nhs-wales-paediatric-wheelchair-tender/

The deadline for enquiries is 12pm on 14 August 2026. Tenders must be submitted electronically by 12pm on 21 August 2026.

23/07/2026

A new Prime Minister and Cabinet bring new priorities, relationships and policy direction. Our latest article breaks down Andy Burnham’s Cabinet, the key appointments and what the changes could mean for the healthcare and assistive technology sector.

Read the full overview to understand the people shaping the new Government and the issues BHTA members should be watching closely:

Explore Tendo's guide to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Cabinet, highlighting key ministers, policy priorities, and what they mean for BHTA members.

23/07/2026

The right mobility equipment can provide far more than transportation. It can support independence, confidence and participation in everyday life.

However, regulation must keep pace with the technology people now rely on.

In our latest article, we explore the need for a framework that protects safety without unnecessarily restricting choice or innovation.

We’re proud to work alongside the Wheelchair Alliance and Karen Pearce to amplify the voices of wheelchair users and advocate for regulation that reflects their real-world experiences.

Read more: https://www.bhta.com/powered-mobility-regulation/

22/07/2026

A significant milestone for the Scrap the Heart Restart campaign: BHTA CEO David Stockdale is quoted in today’s The Guardian piece highlighting the campaign led by members of the BHTA's First Aid Medical Equipment (FAME) and Defibrillator Section.

The coverage brings important national attention to the call to remove VAT from public access defibrillators and make this lifesaving equipment more affordable for communities across the UK. Read more: https://www.bhta.com/vat-public-defibrillators-guardian-campaign/

National media coverage shines a spotlight on the campaign to remove VAT on public defibrillators, helping bring the issue to a wider audience.