NRS Healthcare launches revolutionary new mobility product in partnership with the University of Salford

Labelled the most significant innovation in walking frame design in 70 years, NRS Healthcare has launched Walk Safe® in partnership with the University of Salford.

With falls currently costing the NHS over £2 billion per year, and 4 million bed days, NRS Healthcare identified a critical gap in the mobility aids space.

Developed over 4 years of academic research and testing by individuals with limited mobility alongside physiotherapists and healthcare professionals at a leading NHS trust, Walk Safe® is the first-to-market clinically proven front-wheeled walking frame to double stability during high-risk activity.

NRS Healthcare, a leading provider of daily living aids and assistive technology equipment, launches first-to-market walking frame to double stability around the home.
Falls are associated with a range of risks that often co-exist in older people, as highlighted in the NICE 2013 report. Falls currently cost the NHS over £2 billion annually, and 4 million bed days. They are also the most common cause of death from injury in over 65s.

This product is set to revolutionise and redefine the standard for mobility aids in the home. During testing, a 40% increase in average stability margin when turning was measured with the Walk Safe®.
Walk Safe® is a first-to-market product which will first launch on Complete Care Shop in November 2024.

Traditional wheeled walking frames have seen minor development since their creation in the 1940s, despite being one of the most used mobility aids for the elderly and those with limited mobility.

A two-year research program at the University of Salford found that standard walking frames were difficult to use and unstable as they needed to be lifted over thresholds and turns, therefore actually increasing the risk of falls. The research concluded that, to improve stability and safety, the walking frame must remain on the ground during all activity.

A prototype with swivel wheels was tested in gait laboratories and care homes, and showed that not having to lift the frame doubled users' safety and stability when crossing thresholds and turning. During a small-scale clinical trial, this prototype was recommended over Zimmer frames by physiotherapists. Care home trial users found the prototype simpler to use, and were able to adapt to the new frame with minimal training. This is especially important for users with cognitive impairments such as Dementia.

This first-of-its-kind mobility aid is designed to drastically enhance daily living and independence for a wide range of users with limited mobility, ensuring a greater level of stability that has yet to be provided by other walking frames on the market. It features large front swivel wheels and rear gliders that easily slide over surfaces, making navigating tight spaces and turning corners effortless. Safe and controlled stops are provided by the easily activated pressure brake.

Susan Bevan, Clinical Excellence Technical Lead at NRS Healthcare:

'This is the biggest innovation in walking frame design in 70 years. We are very excited as we believe this will revolutionise the mobility and safety of walking frame users'.

Walk Safe® is at the forefront of assistive technology for those with limited mobility. Its ease of use and functionalities enable users to complete daily tasks with less effort and considerably more independence. Not only does this result in improved muscle and bone strength, overall well-being and fitness, Walk Safe® offers users a better quality of life and greater independence.

The Walk Safe® will launch exclusively on Complete Care Shop in November 2024, and will be available in 2 sizes (M and L).

• UK Patent GB2613198
• Chinese Utility Patent ZL202122982123.8
• International Patent Publication WO/2023/094832
• Australia Patent Pending AU2022395923
• Canadian Patent Pending CA3239048
• US Patent Pending US18712590

Complete Care Shop

About NRS Healthcare

NRS Healthcare is committed to improving people's quality of life and independence every day, through the provision of daily living aids and assistive technology equipment. Our products and services help people who are living with long term health conditions, disabilities and special needs to carry out everyday tasks and to retain independence and mobility.

We are the UK's leading provider of Integrated Community Equipment Services, working on behalf of the NHS and local authorities to deliver over 1 million items of essential equipment to over 250,000 homes each year. This crucial equipment helps people to live independently at home, and prevents hospital/care home admission and extended hospital stays.

www.completecareshop.co.uk
www.completecareshop.co.uk/nrs-healthcare
0300 1000 248

This release was published on openPR.