Elderly residents in Nottingham and Notts are warned about organisations selling disability aids who claim to be working with Social Services or Health Services.

Nottingham City Council, Notts County Council and the Nottingham City Primary Care Trust and NHS Nottinghamshire County are alerting people to be on their guard for mobility-aid organisations attempting to sell them equipment. Telephone callers offer to survey homes and needs and then sell equipment such as disability lifts, chairs, beds, and other mobility aids at inflated prices, persuading vulnerable people to buy items they cannot afford and may not need.

One incident involved a City resident who already has a bathlifter provided through the City Council that is awaiting repair. The company offered to replace the bathlift for £2000 and then 'negotiated' a price of £500. Fortunately a Social Care occupational therapist discovered this and has cancelled the order. Another elderly victim with mild dementia paid £1,700 for a reclining chair.

Nottingham City Council and Notts County Council and Nottingham City Primary Care Trust and NHS Nottinghamshire County have denied any links or with any door-to-door or phone research or sales companies offering disability equipment. They have issued a warning for people to be on their guard. The calls and incidents have been reported to the Police and to Trading Standards.

A spokesperson from Nottingham City Council said: "This is an unethical method of securing business and we would urge everyone to be alert to these sort of shameful sales techniques that prey on older and vulnerable residents.”

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