Treatment couch supplier, Plinth 2000, has created a budget-end Junior range.
Priced from £575 exluding VAT, the initial introductions are motorised 2- and 3-section couches suitable for continuous use in private clinics, GP surgeries, NHS departments and teaching hospitals, both of which are covered by a two-year guarantee.
“Following a rigorous design and specification process, we have spent almost three years field testing entry-level clinical grade couches that can compete with Far East imports on price,” said Niall Dyer, managing director of Plinth 2000.
“Now we have a level of functionality, quality and robustness of construction that we are happy to put our name to and entrust to healthcare professionals. Unlike our premium models, which we build entirely in this country, the frames of our new Junior models are manufactured offshore at our production facility in Turkey, then assembled and upholstered back here in Wetheringsett. This enables us to make significant savings on cost-critical components and we can still be sure of quality standards because it’s where we already make our complementary range of robust storage trolleys.”
The company is launching its entry-level range with a guaranteed trade-in offer, promising to buy back any Junior product for 50% of its original price within two years of initial purchase when customers upgrade to an equivalent premium model. This cost-saving provision enables hard-pressed NHS departments and start-up private practices to invest economically in new examination and treatment tables knowing that half the outlay can be redeemed within 24 months against a higher spec model with a no-cost five-year warranty.
Despite the lower price, Plinth 2000 has engineered similar robustness, functionality and dependability into its new Junior designs, including its characteristic, sturdy-yet-slimline single-lift frame mechanism and stable working platform. They also feature mechanical backrest adjustment and electrical vertical lifting only, but incorporate a standard breathing hole, robust castors for manoeuvrability, electrical hand controls and a safe working load of 180kg. The equipment is CE marked and meets European electrical safety standards.
In contrast with Plinth 2000 premium models that come in a choice of 18 colours, the Junior couches are offered in a limited range of upholstery shades, although these include popular standards white, cream, light and dark blue, all of which comply with fire-retardancy, anti-microbial and wipe-clean requirements. There is also a small range of accessories covering items like cot sides, arm tables, paper roll holders and larger castors.
At 180cm long, 63mm wide and with a maximum working height of 96cm, both models conform with regular treatment couch dimensions and provide clearance for standard patient hoists. Backrest adjustment is from -30° to +85° of vertical, with similar variation of the 3-section’s footrest, for optimum patient comfort, while both platforms go fully horizontal for the recovery position.