Answers to common questions from care home managers, registered managers, and maintenance leads about the equipment we work with and the support we provide.
Do you only work on hoists, or can you help with other care equipment?
Hoists and patient-lifting equipment are our primary focus, but we support a much wider range of nursing and care equipment. We work with profiling beds, bathing aids, wheelchairs, medical couches, suction units, patient scales, evacuation chairs, and more — for condition checks, identification support, planned maintenance, fault diagnosis, and practical advice. If you are unsure whether your equipment falls within scope, please ask and we will advise.
Does all the equipment on this page need a LOLER certificate?
No. LOLER applies specifically to lifting equipment and lifting accessories. Hoists, stand aids, ceiling-track systems, slings, spreader bars, and some post-fall and evacuation equipment are subject to LOLER thorough examination. Items such as profiling beds, wheelchairs, medical couches, suction units, and patient scales are not typically LOLER equipment — but they still benefit from planned servicing, condition checks, and proper documentation. We distinguish clearly between the two categories for every item we assess.
Can you work on older or mixed equipment estates?
Yes. Mixed estates — where a care home operates several different makes and models acquired at different times — are very common in the sector. We are comfortable working across a varied portfolio and will document each item individually. If you have older, rebranded, or legacy equipment without clear documentation, we can often work from an asset list, a service sheet, or clear photographs before we visit.
Do slings and accessories need a separate inspection from the hoist?
Yes. Under LOLER, slings and lifting accessories are treated as equipment in their own right and must be thoroughly examined separately from the hoist unit. We examine each sling and accessory individually and provide separate documentation for each item, so your records clearly reflect the outcome for every piece.
Can you help with nursing beds and profiling beds?
Yes. Profiling beds are not typically LOLER equipment, but we can assist with condition checks, function testing, identification of poorly documented items, planned maintenance, and fault diagnosis. If you manage a mixed bed estate with several makes or older models, we can usually assess what is needed and document what we find.
Can you help with bathing equipment, patient scales, and suction units?
Yes. Bathing hoists may be subject to LOLER depending on their design; other hygiene and transfer aids fall under routine checking and maintenance. Patient weighing scales and portable suction units form part of the wider nursing equipment estate and benefit from planned condition checks and servicing. We assess these items and advise on the most appropriate approach for each one.
Can we send you an equipment list or photos before booking?
Absolutely — and it is genuinely helpful. An asset list or photographs allow us to plan the visit efficiently, confirm whether your equipment falls within scope, and arrive prepared. If you do not have a current list, we can compile one on site on the day. Unclear make or model? A clear photograph is often enough for us to advise before you book.
Do you provide certificates and service records on the day?
We aim to provide LOLER thorough examination reports on the day of the visit for lifting equipment. Each report covers the item examined, the examination outcome, any defects noted, and recommended next steps — in a format designed to sit clearly in your CQC audit file. Service and condition-check records for wider care equipment are also provided to support your asset management records.
Can you advise which items need LOLER examination and which need other checks?
Yes. The distinction between lifting equipment subject to LOLER and wider care equipment requiring other forms of checking is not always immediately obvious. We are happy to review your equipment list and advise on the most appropriate approach for each item before we visit — so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
Do you work with multi-site care providers as well as individual care homes?
Yes. We work with single homes and multi-site care groups. For providers managing several sites, we can help coordinate visits, standardise equipment records, and provide documentation in a consistent format across the estate — making compliance management more straightforward for your operations team.
