You may require help moving from one position to another. Manual lifting and handling can place a severe strain on carers and this often results in back pain or other injuries.

By selecting the correct type of moving and handling equipment and by using it effectively, the risk of sustaining injury can be greatly reduced and the quality of life of all concerned can be greatly improved.

With a thorough assessment, training and practice the process of using a hoist can become quick and easy.

The provision of moving and handling equipment falls into a grey area and may either be supplied by social services or community nursing services. This is because this type of equipment may be considered as daily living equipment or home nursing equipment.

If a hoist is needed to assist a disabled person in everyday life then it is seen as daily living equipment. If it is used by community nurses for medical reasons such as moving a person onto the bed in order to change a dressing, it would be considered as nursing equipment.

Uncertainty about the difference between home nursing equipment and daily living equipment often creates an element of confusion as to who is responsible for providing the equipment. In some areas well defined local agreements between Social Service Departments and Community Nursing Services attempt to clarify responsibility.

However, in many areas it is not clear cut, and budgetary constraints may determine provision, or other factors such as which service is visiting most frequently or which service visited first, who is the primary user of the equipment - the person, the carer or the healthcare professional.

Unfortunately, this lack of clarity can lead to a delay in provision. A referral for an assessment of your, your carer?s or both of your needs can be made by yourself, your carer, GP, district nurse or other healthcare professional.

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