The law says maintain it
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment to be maintained so it doesn't cause danger. Testing is how you show it.
PAT testing
PAT testing and electrical safety testing for care homes
Inspection and testing of the electrical equipment in your care home or hospital, from kettles and TVs to profiling beds and mattress pumps, with a label on every item and a full register.
- Portable appliances and IT equipment
- Profiling beds, hoist chargers and pumps
- Every item labelled and recorded
- Done alongside your equipment servicing
From £1.50 + VAT per item
- 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
Why PAT test
Electrical safety in a care setting
Care homes have hundreds of electrical items, used by people who may be vulnerable. Regular inspection and testing keeps them safe.
Residents bring appliances too
Radios, TVs, chargers and electric blankets in residents' rooms are part of your electrical safety responsibility.
One register for everything
Every item gets a label and a line in your register, with the date, the result and when it's next due.
Is PAT testing a legal requirement in care homes?
There's no law that says "you must PAT test every year". What the law does say, in the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, is that electrical equipment must be maintained so that it doesn't cause danger. The IET Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment is the guidance most organisations follow to decide how often to inspect and test. In practice, inspection and testing is how a care home shows it has met its duty, and it's what CQC inspectors and insurers expect to see a record of.
How often should a care home PAT test?
The right frequency depends on the type of equipment and how it's used. Equipment that's moved around, used heavily or used by residents usually needs more frequent checks than fixed office equipment. Many care homes test most portable equipment once a year, with regular visual checks by staff in between. We'll recommend a schedule for your building.
Medical electrical equipment
Profiling beds, hoist chargers, mattress pumps and other medical electrical equipment need more than a standard portable appliance test. They're inspected and tested in a way that suits medical equipment, as part of their regular service. Combine PAT testing with your equipment servicing and everything electrical in the building is covered on one visit, in one register.
What we test
- Kettles, toasters, microwaves and kitchen appliances
- TVs, radios, lamps and residents' personal appliances
- Computers, monitors, printers and chargers
- Extension leads, adaptors and power cables
- Profiling beds, hoist chargers and mattress pumps
- Hairdryers, fans and heaters
PAT testing in Hampshire and across the UK
From our base in Lee-on-the-Solent we carry out PAT testing for care homes, nursing homes, hospitals and schools across Portsmouth, Southampton, Fareham, Gosport, Winchester, Basingstoke and the Isle of Wight, as well as West Sussex and Dorset, and for contract clients across the UK.
How it works
From first call to compliant equipment
- 1
Free on-site survey
We visit, audit your equipment and asset numbers, and look for savings against your current supplier.
- 2
Clear, itemised quote
A quote for exactly the equipment and service frequency you need. No hidden costs and no minimum number of assets.
- 3
Scheduled visits
Quarterly, six-monthly or annual visits. Engineers carry spare parts so most faults are fixed first time.
- 4
Reports and asset records
Every item barcoded and logged, with a full electronic report after each visit, ready for audits and inspections.
Also from Shepherd
One supplier for all your equipment
Servicing & Maintenance Contracts
Medical equipment servicing contracts for care homes and hospitals, covering beds, hoists, baths, chairs and trolleys. No minimums, UK-wide.
Find out morePressure Mattress Servicing
Servicing, testing and repairs for dynamic air and pressure-relieving mattresses and pumps in care homes and hospitals. From £55 + VAT per mattress. UK-wide.
Find out moreAsset Tagging & Reporting
Barcode asset tagging for care and hospital equipment, with location records, service history and electronic reports after every visit.
Find out moreFAQs
PAT testing FAQs
Is PAT testing a legal requirement for care homes?
The law requires electrical equipment to be maintained so it doesn't cause danger (Electricity at Work Regulations 1989), rather than naming PAT testing specifically. Inspection and testing is the accepted way to meet that duty and to show it to inspectors and insurers.
How much does PAT testing cost?
PAT testing starts from £1.50 + VAT per item, with lower rates for large numbers of items. You'll get a clear quote before we start.
How often should a care home PAT test?
It depends on the equipment and how it's used. Many care homes test portable equipment once a year, with staff carrying out visual checks in between. Equipment used by residents or moved around often may need more frequent checks.
Do residents' own appliances need testing?
Yes. Appliances that residents bring in, such as TVs, radios and chargers, are used in your building and should be checked before use and included in your testing schedule.
Can you test profiling beds and hoist chargers?
Yes. Medical electrical equipment such as profiling beds, hoist chargers and mattress pumps is inspected and tested as part of its regular service.
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.