Guide
Care home equipment list - and how often each item needs checking
A practical list of the equipment most care and nursing homes need, grouped by area, with the inspection and servicing each item needs to stay safe and compliant.
- 40+ years' experienceServicing for the NHS and private sector
- All makes and modelsMulti-brand engineers, authentic parts
- Full electronic reportsAn audit trail for every asset, every visit
- DBS-checked engineersUniformed, ID-carrying and fully trained
Moving and handling
| Equipment | Checks needed |
|---|---|
| Mobile hoists | LOLER every 6 months; service at least yearly |
| Stand aids and standing hoists | LOLER every 6 months; service at least yearly |
| Ceiling track hoists | LOLER every 6 months; service at least yearly |
| Slings (full body, standing, toileting, bathing) | LOLER every 6 months; check before every use |
| Slide sheets and transfer boards | Regular checks for wear |
| Turntables and patient turners | PUWER inspection; service per manufacturer |
Beds and pressure care
| Equipment | Checks needed |
|---|---|
| Electric profiling beds | Service at least yearly, including bed rail checks |
| Low and ultra-low beds | Service at least yearly |
| Bed rails and bumpers | Checked at every bed service, in line with MHRA guidance |
| Dynamic and alternating air mattresses | Service at least yearly; cover checks regularly |
| Static pressure-relieving mattresses | Regular cover and foam checks |
| Pressure-relieving cushions | Regular checks for wear and bottoming out |
Bathing and toileting
| Equipment | Checks needed |
|---|---|
| Height-adjustable (recliner) baths | PUWER inspection; service yearly. LOLER only for a bath lift or hoist fitted to it |
| Bath hoists and bath lifts | LOLER every 6 months; service yearly |
| Shower trolleys and shower chairs | PUWER inspection; service per manufacturer |
| Commodes and raised toilet seats | PUWER inspection |
Mobility and seating
| Equipment | Checks needed |
|---|---|
| Wheelchairs and transit chairs | PUWER inspection, usually yearly |
| Riser recliner and specialist chairs | Service and electrical checks yearly |
| Walking frames and rollators | Regular checks of ferrules, brakes and frames |
Clinical and monitoring
| Equipment | Checks needed |
|---|---|
| Chair, platform and hoist scales (Class III) | Calibration at least yearly |
| Blood pressure monitors, thermometers, pulse oximeters | Per manufacturer, often yearly |
| Suction units and nebulisers | Service per manufacturer |
| Drug trolleys and fridges | Regular checks; fridge temperature monitoring |
Safety and evacuation
| Equipment | Checks needed |
|---|---|
| Evacuation chairs and evac mats | Service yearly; staff training refreshed yearly |
| Nurse call and sensor mats | Regular testing per manufacturer |
| All electrical equipment | Inspection and testing by risk (PAT) |
Keep one register for everything
The equipment list is only half the job. For CQC, insurers and your own planning, you need to know where every item is, when it was last checked and when it's next due. Tagging every item with a unique barcode and keeping its records in one place turns a long list into a manageable register.
How Shepherd helps
We supply care home equipment, from profiling beds to hoists and slings, and then service, inspect and repair everything on this list on one schedule, with asset tagging so every item has a history. Book a free site survey and we'll record what you have and show you what's due.
FAQs
Equipment list questions
What equipment does a nursing home need that a residential home might not?
Nursing homes typically need more moving and handling equipment, profiling beds and dynamic mattresses for people with higher care needs, plus clinical equipment such as suction units. The right list depends on your residents' assessed needs.
How many hoists does a care home need?
It depends on the number of residents who need hoisting, the layout of the building and how many transfers happen at the same time. A site survey and your moving and handling assessments are the best guide.
Who can check all of this equipment?
A specialist servicing company can usually inspect and service most of it on one visit, covering LOLER, PUWER, servicing and PAT testing together.
Keep every bed, hoist and chair safe, compliant and working
Book a free on-site survey or talk to our team about servicing, LOLER inspections, repairs and equipment supply.