Mobility aid industry faces inquiry

The OFT said it planned to examine the level of competitiveness within the sector and whether consumers were well informed and treated fairly.

Consumer advice service Consumer Direct took nearly 5,000 calls from people complaining or asking for advice about the sector last year, a 20 per cent increase on 2008, the watchdog said. There were also concerns that the industry was not working well for consumers, leading to higher prices and less choice, as well as consumers buying products that did not meet their needs.

Mobility aids are typically used by the elderly, disabled and those with medical conditions and include wheelchairs, scooters, stairlifts, bath aids, hoists and adjustable beds.

The UK sector was estimated to be worth around 500m in 2008, and is likely to expand further over the coming years as the number of elderly people rises.

The OFT said it was in the process of setting the scope of the study, which would begin in early 2011.

OFT chief executive John Fingleton said: "Increasing complaints and the wide nature of the concerns make it appropriate for us to examine this sector and consider whether there is potential for improvements on a consumer or competition level, or both.

"Before embarking on such an important piece of work, we want to engage with the industry, consumer groups and others to get a clear idea of the most salient issues."

The head of fair markets at Consumer Focus, Prashant Vaze, said: "We are delighted that the OFT has decided to act on this issue after we presented our evidence to it earlier this year. Our research into the disability equipment market shows there are potentially big problems in this area."