Reducing risk and improving care: Why mobile hoists for care homes are essential in modern care settings
In care settings across the UK, the pressure to deliver safe, effective, and dignified care has never been greater. With an ageing population, increasingly complex care needs, and chronic staffing shortages, the day-to-day demands placed on care staff are mounting. At the heart of this challenge is the physical nature of care work, particularly when it comes to moving and handling residents.
For many care home teams, transferring residents is one of the most frequent and high-risk tasks they face. Whether it’s assisting someone from bed to chair, repositioning after toileting, or providing hygiene care, these tasks require physical exertion and carry significant risk. Not just for the resident, but for the carer too.
The Cost of Ineffective Patient Handling
Injuries amongst social care staff are not only common – they’re disruptive and costly. According to the Health and Safety Executive, human health and social work activities accounted for over 82,000 non-fatal injuries each year on average between 2019 and 2022. Many of these are musculoskeletal injuries caused by manual handling.
This isn’t just a workforce issue. It impacts continuity of care, increases agency costs, and reduces morale. For the resident, poor patient handling can lead to discomfort, fear, and a loss of trust in those providing care. In the worst cases, unsafe transfers can result in injury, which may have long-term consequences.
Why the Right Equipment Matters
Not all mobile hoists are created equal, and in a care home setting, the wrong choice can compromise safety, dignity, and efficiency. Traditional mobile hoists, while common, may struggle with carpeted floors, tight spaces, or bariatric care needs. Poor manoeuvrability forces carers to apply more physical effort, increasing the risk of strain and injury.
Choosing the right hoist means selecting equipment that supports the specific environment and the needs of both residents and staff. Whether it’s a compact folding hoist for limited space, a bariatric hoist for higher weight capacities, or a model with powered leg adjustment for ease of use, the right features can significantly reduce manual handling strain, improve transfer safety, and enhance resident comfort.
Modern mobile hoists are designed to take the physical strain out of daily handling tasks such as lifting from the floor, transferring to wheelchairs, or repositioning residents, while promoting better ergonomics and user control. When hoists are easy to manoeuvre, intuitive to operate, and built with quality in mind, care becomes safer, more dignified, and less physically demanding.
Responding to Workforce Pressures
The care sector continues to face a workforce crisis. With over 150,000 vacancies on any given day and staff turnover remaining high, retaining skilled carers is a priority. Providing equipment that reduces the physical toll of the job is a meaningful way to show staff they are valued.
Dynamic hoists can support single-handed care in many situations, freeing up resources and giving carers more time with residents. By investing in this type of equipment, care homes can reduce absence due to injury, improve staff satisfaction, and ultimately improve the consistency and quality of care.
Matching the Right Solution to the Need
Of course, not all residents have the same needs. Some require full support for all transfers, while others may benefit from standing support. The key is to match the right equipment to the resident’s abilities – and to the care setting’s constraints.
That’s where dynamic hoists offer flexibility. With the right combination of lift height, mobility, and positioning features, these hoists can be tailored to a wide range of care scenarios.
Multicare’s Range of Mobile Hoists for Care Homes
At Multicare Medical, we offer a carefully selected range of mobile hoists designed to meet the diverse demands of care environments, from compact and foldable designs to heavy-duty bariatric models,
Advance Folding Hoist
A compact, portable hoist with a 155kg SWL and a lightweight aluminium frame. Ideal for environments with limited storage, the Advance folds quickly without tools and features a ‘swan neck’ leg design to accommodate larger chairs and wheelchairs.
Calibre Bariatric Hoist
With a SWL of 365kg, the Calibre is built for strength and resilience. Designed specifically for bariatric care, it includes ergonomic features like a six-point spreader bar, powered leg opening, and an integral scale for safe, accurate transfers and weighing.
Presence Mobile Hoist
A high-performance hoist offering a 227kg SWL and a lifting range of almost 1.5 metres. With electrically opening legs and compatibility with a wide range of accessories, the Presence is ideal for care settings with varied handling needs.
Samsoft Mobile Hoist
A compact, foldable hoist with fully electric powered lifting and leg opening and a low chassis height for excellent under-bed access. Designed for ease of use, it folds for storage and features an ergonomic handset and secure sling application.
Stature Vertical Lift Hoist
Our flagship hoist, the Stature boasts a 227kg SWL and an exceptional lift height of up to 1975mm. With powered leg opening, integral usage counter, and flexible spreader bar options, it handles even the most complex patient handling tasks with ease.
In addition to our hoist range, we also offer a selection of standing and raising aids such as the Arjo Sara Stedy, Able Assist Transfer Aid, and the Journey Standing Hoist. Each is designed to promote mobility, dignity, and user participation in everyday care.
All hoists are available to purchase, rent short or long term, or via our finance scheme to ensure accessibility and affordability for all care settings.
Hoisting in care and residential homes is not just about the equipment; it’s about changing the way we deliver care. With the right tools in place, we can reduce risk, improve working conditions, and provide a more dignified experience for the people we care for. If you’re ready to rethink your approach to handling and mobility, dynamic hoists may be the next step forward.
To book a demo of any of our mobile hoists and to find out which is suitable for your setting and circumstances, get in touch and we can provide help, quotes and site visits all free of charge. Simply get in touch with our team today.
Call: 0800 298 6000
Email: [email protected]
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Multicare Medical: ‘Helping you deliver better healthcare’ since 1988
