Why Users & Carers Love the Barella Shower Trolley

Stability

There’s a big difference between reviewing a product specification on paper and actually using equipment with a person lying on it. One of the biggest complaints we hear about previous shower trolleys is the instability. And this complaint is magnified if the user makes involuntary movements.

Barella eliminates this concern. Even when it’s at its highest level, carers are surprised at how stable it is – users can even roll without any risk of dipping. Plus, the liner sides extend above the head and foot rails, which increases the feeling of security and means there’s no risk of users hitting metal.

Thoughtful standard features

The right standard features are critical when it comes to costs. You get so much with Barella as standard, which means budget holders get more value.

For example, side rails fold down. It comes with a plug, so users can have a shallow bath within the trolley itself. And there’s a hose for easy cleaning and draining.

Flexibility

However, you also get the ability to adapt the shower trolley to individual user and carer needs. And that’s where Barella’s ease of use and value for money come into their own.

One popular feature is the platform tilt. You can adjust the platform 5° one way and 2° the other, so you can easily and safely have the user in Trendelenburg and anti-Trendelenburg positions. Similarly, you have the option to elevate the head protection up to 63° so users can be in a sitting position. These give carers better access while facilitating drainage – with no risk of sliding.

Another example relates to specification. Barella comes in 3 sizes: paediatric, adult and heavy duty. But one of our most popular configurations is having the heavy-duty platform on a standard adult frame. This unique option provides more space for cleaning, rolling and involuntary movement while delivering cost savings.

There’s also lots of choice with the braking system. Most shower trolleys have a caster lock on each side, which means the carer has to walk around each corner to put on the brakes. Barella has a central braking system operated with one pedal, which means carers can put on the brakes without leaving the patient’s side or putting them in a vulnerable position. And you can choose from central or directional locking depending on whether the trolley will need to be pushed down corridors.

Long lifespan

Rust is a common reason for having to replace a shower trolley, and it’s usually because of how the metal frame is coated. Most frames are made of mild steel with powder coating, which only goes on the outside. As a result, rust accumulates on the inside. Barella frames are mild steel with electrode coating, which is baked on so it covers the entire frame. This protects against rust and increases lifespan.

When you add this durability to the flexible features described above, you get a shower trolley that better meets user needs while improving recyclability.

Watch the Barella shower trolley in action

This video gives you a 38-second tour of the Barella. Watch it to see these features for yourself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=gNpBaiPe04k

As one care home said:

“We have been using our Barella shower trolleys for nearly 2 years. We have had other trolleys in the past, but both our clients and users feel more secure and comfortable in the Barella range due to their stable and strong construction. We can also recommend the Barella for use in humid environments. Our trolleys are situated in very humid areas. The trolleys we had previously showed signs of rusting within a short space of time; the Barellas we have show no signs of rust even after being in situ for nearly 2 years.”

We keep a wide range of Barella specifications in stock, so can deliver quickly across the UK.

Learn more about Barella shower trolleys here