Easy-clean shower chair could bring firm success

Jan 4 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

AN innovative healthcare enterprise is aiming to secure an NHS deal for its first self-designed product.

Lynch Healthcare has created a shower chair which it hopes will be popular as it can be thoroughly cleaned, therefore helping to control the spread of infections in hospitals and nursing homes.

The Sunderland firm was set up by David Lynch and business partner David Giles to develop a range of products for the growing healthcare market. It also supplies and installs equipment made by other manufacturers.

Managing director Mr Lynch said: “After identifying a number of issues with the current equipment, we decided there was a definite market for our ideas, and we set about developing them earlier this year.”

The two directors, who currently employ three members of staff and are looking to recruit a regional salesperson, received help to turn their design into a market-ready product from the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) in Sunderland.

“The advisers at the BIC helped me to formulate a solid and realistic business plan around my ideas, which was also fundamental in acquiring funding from banks and other lenders,” said Mr Lynch, who previously worked in healthcare product sales and management.

Design Right Solutions (DRS), which is an independent division of the BIC specialising in new product development, created the shower chair prototype for Lynch Healthcare to show to prospective customers.

Mr Lynch said: “DRS helped me to cover every area of development for our products. From investigating which materials to use, sourcing them, through to exploring cleaning and sanitising methods, the process truly turned my ideas into reality, as it ended with a fully-workable demonstration model.

“We’ve been delighted with how the company has grown, especially in these uncertain times.

“What people don’t realise is how much support is out there for people who are starting out. We’ve received excellent assistance from the BIC and DRS.”

Lynch Heathcare concentrates on a range of products to help in the moving, handling and bathing of patients, many of whom may be severely disabled. As well as hospitals and care homes, the team is also designing products suitable for people who are cared for at home.

It already supplies products made by other manufacturers to a number of local authority and NHS clients, including Sunderland City Council, Durham County Council and NHS Trust, Northumberland County Council and NHS Trust and Newcastle City Council.

Although currently concentrating on North East customers, the company aims to secure more contracts across the North this year.