Mobile Patient Hoists
Mobile hoists used by care staff to assist with patient and resident transfers.
Independent Inspections for Patient Lifting Equipment
UK Lift Inspection Services provides independent inspections for patient lifting equipment used across care homes, healthcare facilities and other professional care environments.
Our confirmed inspection scope includes mobile patient hoists, ceiling and runway hoists, patient slings, bath lifts, platform lifts, stair climbers and other applicable care lifting equipment.
Where lifting equipment is used by people at work, LOLER can apply to both the hoist and associated lifting accessories such as slings. We provide clear written findings and straightforward guidance on any defects, deterioration or action that may be required.
Our confirmed inspection scope includes mobile patient hoists, ceiling and runway hoists, patient slings, bath lifts, platform lifts, stair climbers and other applicable care lifting equipment.
Where lifting equipment is used by people at work, LOLER can apply to both the hoist and associated lifting accessories such as slings. We provide clear written findings and straightforward guidance on any defects, deterioration or action that may be required.
Need to arrange a patient hoist inspection?
Tell us what care lifting equipment you have, where it is located and when it was last examined and we can discuss the appropriate inspection requirements.
PATIENT HOIST INSPECTIONS
What Does a Patient Hoist Inspection Involve?
A patient hoist inspection assesses the condition of the lifting equipment and its safety-critical components to identify defects, deterioration or other issues that could affect safe continued use.
Where patient lifting equipment is used as work equipment, LOLER requires appropriate thorough examination by a competent person. The examination considers the matters that affect the safety of the equipment and is followed by a written report of the findings.
Associated equipment such as patient slings should also be considered as part of the wider lifting-equipment inspection programme.
EQUIPMENT COVERAGE
What Care Lifting Equipment Do We Inspect?
We inspect a range of patient lifting and access equipment used across care homes, healthcare facilities and professional care environments.
Ceiling & Runway Hoists
Fixed and ceiling-mounted hoist systems operating along tracks or runway systems.
Patient Slings
Lifting slings used with patient hoists to support people during transfer and movement.
Bath Lifts
Lifting equipment designed to raise and lower people into and out of bathing facilities.
Platform Lifts
Passenger platform lifts used to improve accessibility within care and healthcare buildings.
Stair Climbers & Care Access Equipment
Applicable stair-climbing and other access equipment used within professional care environments.
HOW IT WORKS
Your Care Equipment Inspection, Step by Step
Tell Us About the Equipment
Provide the equipment type, location, quantity and any available examination or maintenance history.
We Confirm the Requirement
We review the information and establish the appropriate inspection or thorough examination.
We Carry Out the Inspection
Relevant lifting equipment and safety-critical components are examined for condition, deterioration and defects.
You Receive Your Report
You receive written documentation recording the examination, findings and any action that may be required.
INSPECTION FREQUENCY
How Often Should Patient Hoists Be Inspected?
Where lifting equipment is used to lift people at work, LOLER generally requires a thorough examination at least every 6 months, unless a competent person has specified another interval through a written examination scheme.
HSE guidance for health and social care specifically identifies mobile hoists, fixed or ceiling hoists, patient slings and applicable bath hoists as equipment requiring thorough examination at intervals of six months or less, or in accordance with a written scheme.
Routine checks, maintenance and servicing remain separate from the statutory thorough examination and should continue in line with the equipment manufacturer's instructions and the organisation's own safety procedures.
NOT SURE WHAT YOU NEED?
Unsure Which Inspection Your Care Equipment Requires?
Tell us what equipment you have, how it is used and where it is located. We can discuss the inspection requirement and help arrange the appropriate examination.
PATIENT SLINGS
Don't Overlook the Patient Sling
The patient hoist is only part of the lifting system. Where LOLER applies, patient slings used with the hoist are lifting accessories and also need to be included within the examination programme.
Slings should be identifiable so their inspection status can be established, and their condition should be monitored carefully because wear or damage can affect their ability to support a person safely.
HSE specifically highlights the importance of ensuring slings used for lifting people are uniquely identifiable for maintenance and thorough examination.
Including hoists and slings within the same inspection programme can help care providers maintain clearer equipment records and reduce the risk of individual items being overlooked.
PATIENT HOIST & CARE FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a patient hoist be thoroughly examined?
Where a patient hoist is used as work equipment to lift people, it should generally be thoroughly examined at least every six months unless a written examination scheme specifies another interval.
Do patient slings need LOLER examinations?
Where LOLER applies, slings used for lifting people are lifting accessories and require thorough examination. HSE guidance identifies six months or less, or an interval set by a written examination scheme.
Do you inspect mobile and ceiling hoists?
Yes. Both mobile patient hoists and fixed or ceiling-mounted hoist systems are within our confirmed inspection scope.
Do you inspect bath lifts?
Yes. Applicable bath lifting equipment is included within our current inspection scope.
Is a LOLER examination the same as servicing a patient hoist?
No. Routine maintenance and servicing are separate from a LOLER thorough examination. Both have important roles in keeping care equipment safe.
Does LOLER apply to patient hoists used in private homes?
It depends on how the equipment is being used. HSE notes that equipment loaned solely for private use by individuals, family members or unpaid carers may fall outside LOLER, while equipment used by people at work can fall within the Regulations.
Can you inspect several items across a care home or multiple sites?
Yes. Multiple items and multi-site inspection programmes can be arranged depending on the equipment and locations involved.