AdaptAbility Training

‼️Recent MHRA Safety Alert in UK ‼️

🔺 Between 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2025, the MHRA received 22 reports of incidents with a fatal outcome during patient transfers.

🔺The problems described may affect all hoists and slings. Investigations into incidents often found similar contributing factors, which are consistent with the themes raised in Medical Device Alert MDA/2014/054 and Patient Safety Alert NHS/PSA/W/2015/010, indicating that existing guidance has not been reliably and systematically implemented

🔺 5 ACTIONS have been listed for immediate attention - here are just 2 (see GOV.UK for full document)

Action 1. Ensure that standardised pre-use checks are in place and completed for all hoists and slings
(aligned with manufacturer’s IFU) to identify
unsafe states. Pre-use checks should include a
pause-and-check step after initial load take-up
but before the patient is entirely lifted to verify
that all sling attachment points are securely
attached before proceeding.

Action 5. Training for staff (and patients and their families or carers where applicable) should be relevant to their role and include the relevant hoist and sling types in use, correct attachment and fitting techniques, recognitions of unsafe equipment states, when to stop, escalate, and report incidents and near misses

‼️ Similar action is needed in Ireland ‼️

Travelled to Birmingham today for NBE Conference, which was a comprehensive deep dive into all things moving & handling.

I’m coming away with a sharper eye for sling fitting, a greater awareness of sensory informed needs and a renewed drive to get people out of bed rather than accept the notion that they are ‘safer’ receiving bed based care.

It was great to meet so many people who are happy to share their knowledge and are committed to improving standards and practices in this area.

National Back Exchange

GREAT NEWS!

🚌 Accora are bringing their Care Conference to the north and west of the country in September

☑️ If you work with people with dementia, you won’t want to miss this!

Ireland UK

🆕 Trying a ‘Stand Easy’ this week with a lady who struggles to stand but once up can mobilise well

🧏‍♀️ Would love to hear other people’s experience with this equipment

📋 Also printing reminders on the safe way to assist someone to stand, taken from BCP council moving & handling guidance sheets

https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/information-for-professionals-working-in-adult-social-care/moving-and-handling-guidance-sheets

🙏 Thanks for the recommendations Kay James OT4Indepenence & Jayne Brewer Accora

What an exciting week!

🔸 Travelled 650 km for 2 conferences
🔸 Connected with over 120 delegates
🔸 Facilitated 8 workshops with Jayne Brewer
🔸 Enjoyed Jo De Clercq’s inspiring presentation

And still squeezed in a photo with Iain Glen from Game of Thrones 🤩

Congrats to the team from Accora Ireland and UK for this fantastic event

🎬 Presented my 1st webinar today!

🗣️ Topic was ‘Access Slings & Standing Hoists’

Like any manual handling equipment these 2 items in the right hands with the right training and used with the right person can be invaluable! But in the wrong hands … 🤦‍♀️

🕵️‍♀️ When we’re using Access or Hygiene slings, can we please make sure that the sling doesn’t win the battle to determine someone’s position!

Looking forward to discussing Access Slings & Standing Hoists - the good, the bad and the ugly!

With: Accora Academy & Nicky Philips (OT)

When: Thursday 12th of March @ 11:00

Check out details on:

https://accora.care/ie/academy/webinars

Very excited to be involved in this conference - see below for details!

Slings, slings and more slings!

Working today on a sling project with Meath Primary Care OTs Finola Dunne & Cathriona Reilly

Reviewed our draft Assessment Tool for Access Slings - considerations, criteria and what to look out for during a controlled trial.

Now to pilot and see how it does in real life!

🌅 As the sun sets on 2025, it’s time to reflect on the year. The ‘highs’ which have been celebrated and shared with people and in social media, but also the professional ‘lows’ which were the tough times and challenges we faced along the way.

🙏 A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me this year to continue to work as a private Occupational Therapist and Moving & Handling trainer.

🤗 We are excited to see what 2026 has in store for AdaptAbility Training!

🎉🎉🎉 Happy New Year to You All 🎉🎉🎉