July 7, 2025 | Terry Smith Trial vs Assessment: What’s the best way to evaluate the Vendlet Turning System for your client? When considering the Vendlet Turning System for a client, it’s important to choose the right method of evaluation. At Felgains, we offer two options: a two-week trial or an assessment. Both serve the purpose of helping you understand the effectiveness of the system, but they differ in approach, requirements, and outcomes. Here’s a clear breakdown to help you choose the best fit for your situation. Option 1: Two-week trial – most popular choice A two-week trial is the most comprehensive way to evaluate the Vendlet system in a real-world setting. Here’s what it involves: We install the Vendlet Turning System onto the client’s bed in their own home. Our team provides on-site training to carers or support staff, ensuring they feel confident using the system. Over the two weeks, you can monitor how the system performs, measure the benefits, and observe how it supports both the client and carers. Why choose a trial? It gives you time to truly evaluate the system’s effectiveness in daily use. You can gather in-depth evidence of the impact on care delivery, pressure relief, carer strain, and patient comfort. It provides an opportunity to prove the concept before making a purchasing decision. Important note: To proceed with a trial, funding must be agreed in principle beforehand. This means: If the trial proves successful, the funds are already approved to go ahead with an order within two weeks of the trial ending. This ensures a smooth transition from trial to permanent use, avoiding any disruption in care. Option 2: Assessment The second option is a one-day assessment, which gives you a brief look at how the Vendlet Turning System functions: We bring in a demo bed fitted with the Vendlet system. Our team demonstrates and assesses the suitability and effectiveness of the system. After the session, we remove the system on the same day. Why choose an assessment? There is no requirement for funding to be agreed in principle. It provides a quick way to gather initial insights on whether the system is likely to be effective for your client. It can be ideal in early-stage decision-making or when funding is not yet confirmed. Things to keep in mind: The assessment provides only a snapshot of evidence, not the full picture you’d get with a trial. We’ll need level, double-door access to bring our demo bed into the property. This can be a barrier in some home environments, especially for private individuals. Summary table Two-Week Trial Assessment Duration 2 weeks 1 day System Installed On the client’s bed On our demo bed Training Provided Yes Yes (briefly) Funding Needed Funding agreed in principle beforehand No funding required upfront Evidence Gathered In-depth, real-world use Limited, snapshot view Access Requirements Standard home access Level, double-door access Final thoughts Choosing between a trial and an assessment depends on your timeline, funding status, and client needs. If you’re ready to move forward with funding agreed in principle and want a deep dive into how the Vendlet system supports care, the two-week trial is ideal. If you’re at an earlier stage or still exploring options, a same-day assessment provides a helpful first look. If you’re unsure which option is best for your client, feel free to get in touch with our team, and we’ll be happy to advise based on your situation. Get in touch Got a question or want to send us a message? Let’s talk.