Repose Melrose Porter Healthcare Chair

The Melrose Porter healthcare chair is ideal as part of a 24-hour postural care programme as it has been specifically engineered to meet the comfort needs of individuals with pressure management issues and to provide adaptable support for neurological and postural conditions.

With a unique combination, of Tilt in Space and independently controlled back recline and leg elevation, carers can constantly adjust the user’s position to relieve pressure and provide all-day comfort.

The Melrose Porter healthcare chair has been designed with a high level of pressure and postural features and benefits to meet the needs of those with significant symptoms that affect their skin integrity and postural needs:

• Parkinson’s Disease
• Motor Neurone disease
• Life limiting conditions

Both reclining and tilt systems can provide pressure relief, increase circulation, improve head, neck and trunk control, improve functional posture and positioning, support safe transfers by various means and minimise variations / fluctuations in the client’s muscular control. Tilt and recline systems work predominantly by moving the persons centre of gravity which whilst maintaining posture and ergonomic support allows the pannus to be redistributed. This can be used to alleviate pressure, help the respiratory system and allow access for specific skin care tasks.

The backrest and leg rest can be adjusted separately providing a further range of back and leg combinations to support improved posture and pressure management, particularly aiding the amount of hip flexion.  Couple this with the angle and height adjustable footplate, seat and width adjustment and this makes the Melrose Porter healthcare chair a highly versatile and comfortable pressure management porter.

The Melrose Porter can be used with either a mobile or overhead hoist to support safe moving and handling techniques for carers.

Key Features:

Mechanisms:

The Melrose comes with Independent Tilt in Space, Backrest Recline and Leg Rest adjustments. This mechanism enables a whole range of postural positions for high level pressure management care.

Pressure Management Back Cushions:

There is a choice of seven interchangeable and adjustable pressure management back cushions that enable the chair to be adapted to a single user’s changing needs or to adapt the chair to another user. This ensures greater longevity of its usage. In addition, all cushions can be repositioned to suit a user’s individual seating preferences and fibres added or removed from fibre filled cushions to adjust firmness. Covers can also be removed for cleaning and replacement.

Pressure Management Seat Cushions:

There is a choice of seven interchangeable seat cushions each with different pressure management features. You can purchase one or more cushions to support the different needs of individuals who may use this chair.

Cushions and covers are removable for cleaning and replacement. With all these seat cushions we recommend a fabric with four way stretch properties to aid reduction of shear and friction.

Seat Depth Adjustment:

The Melrose comes with a mechanism to adjust the seat depth so that the right seat depth can be achieved.  The Seat depth range is 406mm to 559mm (16” to 22"). In addition, there is the option to purchase seat adjuster pads which will increase the range of adjustment.  These are explained in the Optional Accessories Section.

The seat depth should be long enough to support the upper part of the legs whilst allowing the back to rest comfortably on the backrest. If the seat is too long the user is likely to slouch in the chair to get their feet on the floor, which puts extra pressure on their lower spine, if too short it will cause additional pressure on the thighs risking potential skin breakdown.

Seat Width Adjustment: 

There are two sizes of arm pads that allow the seat width to be adjusted. A single set comes as standard with each size of chair. There are a range of seat widths that are achievable by using the reversible sets of arm pads:

Arm Pad Set 1 standard on medium sized chair:

• 483mm (19") or 533mm (21") seat widths.

Arm Pad Set 2 standard on small sized chair:

• 431mm (17") or 533mm (21") seat widths.

Contoured and Padded Leg Rest:

The contoured leg rest helps to stop the legs splaying and is extremely comfortable. It has a removable cover for cleaning or replacement.

Heavy-duty push handle:

For ease of movement the Melrose comes with a heavy-duty push handle with rubber grips.

Castors:

The Melrose comes with four heavy-duty castors built in as standard, with the rear ones lockable.

D-Rings:

D-rings are fitted as standard.

Optional Accessories:

Height and Angle Adjustable Footplate:

A height and angle adjustable footplate allows for an additional range of support positions. The footplate can also be removed or flipped up to allow uninterrupted access with a hoist. The footplate has a removable cover for replacement or cleaning.

Height Adjustment:

Easily adjusted using the locking pin at the back of the footplate the seat height to footplate range is 356mm to 584mm, (18” to 22”).

Angle Adjustment:

The footplate has four positions to accommodate for fixed flexion and to maintain the foot position for users with drop foot. It can be folded up against the leg rest if required.

Sliding Footplate:

This enables the user to place their feet safely on the footplate whilst being portered, but because it can be hidden away it allows uninterrupted access with a hoist. The footplate has been designed with a central castor to maximize stability. The cover can also be easily removed for cleaning and replacement.

Seat Depth Adjusters:

In addition to the adjustable seat depth which is built into the chair there is the option to purchase additional seat depth adjusters.   There is a choice of two sets of detachable adjuster pads, 25.4mm (1") or 50.8mm (2"). The covers can be removed for cleaning or replacement.

Headrests:

There are five headrests to choose from, all of which come with a Velcro tab allowing them to fit over the top cushions.  For further details on each of these options please refer to the Headrests Section.

• Head roll
• Small head pillow
• Small profile headrest
• Large profile headrest
• Midline headrest

Lap Strap and Pad:

A lap strap that can be easily shortened or lengthened and which has a quick release clip can be purchased.  This is a lap strap and not a pelvic positioner and should never be used for restraining purposes.

* Please note that some of these additional features will need to be fitted at the point of manufacture.

Size Guide:

Size:                            Small                                                            Medium
Seat Height:           584mm (23")                                                   584mm (23")
Seat Width:            432mm (17") and 533mm (21")                      483mm (19") and 533mm (21")
Using the reversible small arm pads              Using the reversible arm pads
Seat Depth:            406mm (16") - 559mm (22")                           406mm (16") - 559mm (22")
Arm Height:            229mm (9")                                                     229mm (9")
Overall Height:      1245mm (49")                                                  1245mm (49")
Overall Width:       711mm (28") and 813mm (32")                        711mm (28") and 762mm (30")
(25mm (1") and 76mm (3") options on arm pad)           (25mm (1") and 51mm (2") options on arm pad)
Overall Depth:        914mm (36")                                                   914mm (36")

Back Cushions:

Waterfall:

Individual fibre filled waterfall cushions, each of which are fully adjustable to accommodate maximum postural support. The waterfall back can be useful for those with mild Kyphosis, Scoliosis and reduced muscle mass on their back.

Waterfall Lateral:

The central cushion in this soft fibre filled waterfall back comes with in-built lateral supports which can provide some trunk support for those who have limited trunk control or balance, useful for those with early stages of neurological conditions such as MS or a Stroke survivor with limited residual impairments.

Large Profile Headrest With Waterfall:

The profile headrest conforms to the head and shoulders which can be useful for individuals with limited neck control with the waterfall back providing soft adjustable lumbar support.

Comfort Lateral:

Soft fibre filled back with lateral support, which can be useful for those who have limited trunk control or balance. It can be useful for those with early stages of neurological conditions such as MS or a Stroke survivor.

Large Profile Headrest With Comfort Lateral:

This back offers soft fibre filled cushions to provide head, shoulder and trunk support, which can be useful for older users who have lost some muscle control, supporting them in a good postural position with the head in a neutral position. This back can also be useful for early stages of neurological conditions to maintain good positioning without restricting activities.

Support Lateral:

A foam filled back providing firmer lateral support with a soft fibre filled headrest. The firm lateral support maintains midline trunk alignment which can be useful for those post Stroke or early to mid-stages of neurological conditions.

Large Profile Headrest With Support Lateral: 

Firm foam lateral back cushion with soft fibre filled profile headrest can provide support for those who have limited trunk control or balance. The profile headrest can provide support to keep the head in good midline alignment which can be useful for those with early stages of neurological conditions such as MS or a Stroke survivor with limited residual impairments.

Seat Cushions:

Viscoform:

For those who have good posture and mobility but are seated for greater than one hour at a time and require pressure relief and supported comfort. This cushion has a high-density foam base which offers a supportive and firm seat base with a top layer of memory foam to allow immersion into the cushion, giving stability and a large surface area to reduce pressure levels.

Profile Viscoform:

The profile version of the Viscoform cushion provides a pommel, which can support those with weak trunk or lower limb muscles who are prone to sliding down and forward in their chair or for those with lower limbspasticity to help maintain hips in the abducted position to create a good seating position.

Liquiform:

For those who have good posture and mobility but sit for long periods of time and require pressure relief and supported comfort. Recommended for people with limited muscle bulk or at risk of excessive weight loss. This cushion has a high-density foam which offers a supportive and firm seat base. The foam is topped with a fluid liquid gel in a soft silicone cover which provides a high level of pressure relief. The liquid gel helps to dissipate heat and constantly adapts to the user’s movement.

Celliform:

For those sitting for long periods with specific comfort issues such as a high risk of pressure sores. Gelacell has a unique cell matrix that distributes pressure across the contact area, as it contours and yields in response to weight redistribution. Gelacell absorbs body heat, reducing the risk of creating an environment that could increase pressure risks, the grid design also encourages air circulation. Gelacell is clinically tested and passes all dermatological tests for skin contact.

Maximum weight of user 127 kg (20 stone)

Coolform:

For those sitting for long periods with specific comfort issues such as a high risk of pressure sores. This cushion uses the latest medical grade silicone gel technology allowing pressure to be evenly distributed. The gel conforms to the shape of the body and equalises to body temperature. The gel cells allow air to flow easily and Coolform is totally odourless and hypoallergenic.

Profile Coolform:

The profile version of the Coolform cushion provides a pommel, which can support those with weak trunk or lower limb muscles who are prone to sliding down and forward in their chair or for those with lower limbspasticity to help maintain hips in the abducted position to create a good seating position.

Headrest Cushions:

Head Roll:

The head roll is useful to reduce depth for anyone with reduced neck extension or needing to keep their head in a neutral position for tasks such as eating or drinking whilst maximising comfort and reducing effort.

Small Head Pillow:

The small head pillow provides additional comfort for those who may require a softer surface to rest on whilst stopping hyper-extension at the neck when reclined or tilted.

Small Profile Headrest:

Similar to the large profile headrest but support is focused more on the head and neck.

Large Profile Headrest:

This headrest provides a combination of lateral support at the head, neck and shoulders whilst offering additional comfort and reducing neck extension.

Midline Headrest:

The midline headrest provides postural support for those with some form of midline deficit, following a stroke resulting in proprioceptive deficit or unilateral neglect for example. It is also useful for those with reduced lateral muscle strength or tolerance (such as sternocleinomastoid).

Mechanisms:

Independent Tilt in Space:

The Independent Tilt in Space works to counteract the effect of the person’s pannus. By having control over the angle of tilt you can adjust that person’s centre of gravity’ making them feel more comfortable, supporting the pannus, and reducing the feeling that they are being dragged forward by external forces.

The TIS movement allows the seat to back angle to remain the same whilst the whole seating system is tilted backwards, which means that the angle of the hips, knees and ankles are not affected during this movement. It also reduces the weight on the Ischial Tuberosities and redistributes the weight through the back.  This constant back angle prevents shear and friction during movement.

This feature can also help when moving someone in a hoist and can support better pelvic positioning by optimising the use of gravity to position the user in the optimal position.

Independent Backrest Recline:

The Independent Backrest Recline allows the person to maintain flexibility over their body’s position, particularly the amount of hip flexion, enabling them to maximise comfort as well as managing health needs. The backrest can be independently reclined providing a range of back angles allowing for optimal position for comfort.

Independent Leg Rest Movement:

The leg rest on the Melrose has been designed with a contoured leg rest helps to stop the legs splaying and is extremely comfortable.

The leg rest works independently of the backrest movement enabling a wide range of relaxing positions, from sitting upright and raising the leg rest to relieve tired legs to a fully reclined resting position. The leg elevation can support reduction in oedema and fluid retention. This reduced fluid in the lower limbs allows a user to maintain their standing and walking abilities.

Warranty:

Standard Two-Year Warranty

Two years on mechanisms, frame, upholstery and electrics.

One year on air seat cushions and also on some additional accessories such as the Accupak, 20 Cycle Back up and Relaxor heat and massage systems.

Repose will repair or replace, at our discretion and free of charge to the original purchaser, any parts covered by this warranty and that on examination, are found to be defective in material and/or workmanship. The warranty is for parts and labour only. The product or parts requiring repair/replacement must be returned to Repose by you and you will be responsible for the costs of packaging, postage and any postal insurance.

Any products returned to Repose must be disinfected and should pose no health hazard.

Upgrade to a Five-Year Warranty*

You can upgrade your standard warranty anytime within 14 days after delivery of the chair. You can upgrade to a unique five-year comprehensive care plan for the price of £90.00 Ex VAT this includes:

• Comprehensive cover for structural and accidental damage
• Stain removal and repair at no extra cost to you
• One call for advice and service
• National network of professional technicians
• Original value replacements

It truly offers real peace of mind, covering you against:

• Structural damage to:
• Accidental damage including:
• Staining