Thousands of beds are to be replaced across Nottingham hospitals for the first time in almost 20 years. Around 2,100 beds across Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) and City Hospital are set to make way for newer, more high-tech replacements from next month.
The replacements, supplied and partly manufactured by Medstrom, are expected to make a "massive difference" for both patients and staff. Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) will begin rolling out the beds over the course of 10 weekends, starting on June 12.
Kelly Davis, who is currently training staff to use the beds at the head and neck unit at QMC, said the new beds were "amazing". She told Nottinghamshire Live: "The new beds are very light so staff can use one hand to use the bed. The old beds were really really heavy. They're so much more easier to clean as well as the parts come off. So it's a quicker turn-around and we can get patients in quicker.
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"I have sat on one myself and laid down and they're so comfortable. They are amazing. The old one's were still good but these are so much better. They are going to make a massive difference, not only for patients but for our staff."
It will be the first time the NHS trust has replaced the beds since its formation in 2006. Around 1,900 mattresses will also be supplied and the maternity department already has 31 new beds in place.
The new technology includes the ability for the bed to go lower to the ground. Features also mean patients do not slip down when the head of the bed is lifted, reducing the chance of pressure ulcers.
Speaking on a visit to Castle Donnington-based Medstrom, Lisa Kelly, chief operating officer at NUH said: "It also helps our staff who are looking after our patients. Also the beds can go quite high, so it makes it a little bit easier for staff to care for patients.
"The current beds we have definitely don't go as low as these do." Technology also means patients do not slip down when the head of the bed is lifted, reducing the chance of pressure ulcers.
"They're coming to the end of their life, they're almost 20 years old now so it's entirely appropriate for us to look to renew equipment as we do with all equipment across the organisation. It's a 10-year contract and it's important for us to take advantage of the latest technology to ensure that our patients are as comfortable as possible and that we're supporting staff."
