How do you go about organising for a stair lift to be fitted?

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Apologies for the boring title but I don’t know where to start. My mum needs a stair lift but we will have to get a 2nd hand one as money is tight.
Does she need an assessment from an occupational therapist? How do you decide what’s suitable for her small frame and limited mobility?
Any recommendations for places in the north west would be great thank you!

I just googled suppliers. I don’t think we got a reconditioned one because of the shape of my Dad’s stairsif it’s a straight flight you should be ok.

We didn’t have involvement from anyone. I thing the seats are pretty standard.

Contact Stannah. You don’t have to buy from them but they should be good for advise.

So many typos. Sigh.

not an expert, but a friend is getting this done at the moment. They had council - occupational health? assessment, they recommended which stairlift (they can't use standard one)

But I think you could go direct to the companies and ask for a fitter recommendation too.

Phone your local Age UK. They will probably be able to advise ( obvs not a charity shop )

Oh yes I forgot Age Uk advise in these matters! Will try them and maybe see if we can get an assessment.
Prices seem to really vary. Any idea how much we should expect to pay?

Go to her GP and ask for a referral to OT for a home assessment.

If she meets criteria and the house is is suitable a stair lift will be fitted free of charge. They will also be able to fit grab rails and any other equipment your mum might need.
(I am an OT)

My mum got one. Booked it on the Friday after then came to the house to check it and it was fitted the following week. They bought it back off us again when it was no longer needed!

Free of charge? Really. I wonder why no one ever suggested this for my Dad. Or is it means tested?

Think it was £4 - £5k.

I think the OT equipment for the ill/elderly are means tested so it will depend on income and financial situation.

I'm in NI so I'm not sure is it different. Grants for major adaptations (eg extension) are always means tested. In NI stair lifts and through floor lifts are loaned to clients from the trust free of charge.

My parents had one fitted 2 years ago I think they paid about £2000 but it was a pretty simple one in terms of layout
They also pay £8 a month which means any problems with it is fixed within 24hrs and a yearly service