Complete Care Home Equipment Guide

Running a safe, well-equipped care home is one of the most complex procurement challenges in the UK healthcare sector. With CQC standards to meet, resident needs to accommodate, and budgets to manage, getting equipment right matters enormously.

This guide covers every major equipment category you need to consider — from patient handling and pressure care through to hygiene, bathing, mobility and furniture. Whether you're equipping a new facility, replacing ageing stock, or planning your next procurement cycle, use this as your reference point.

1. Patient Handling & Hoists

Patient hoists are among the most critical pieces of equipment in any care home. They protect both residents and staff from injury during transfers, and are subject to strict legal requirements under LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations).

Types of hoists to consider:

• Mobile hoists — freestanding, battery-powered units suitable for most transfer needs. Ideal for facilities where residents are moved between rooms. Popular models include the Invacare Birdie Evo, Oxford Midi 180, and Molift Mover range.
• Stand aid hoists — designed for residents with some weight-bearing ability. Less invasive than full hoists and faster for routine transfers. The Camel Lifting Cushion and Cricket Stand Aid are popular choices.
• Ceiling track hoists — fixed overhead systems ideal for high-dependency residents. Require installation but offer the safest, most consistent transfer experience.

Key compliance requirements:

• LOLER inspection every 6 months by a competent person
• Maintenance records kept and available for inspection
• Staff trained and competency-assessed on all hoist types in use

Accessories and consumables to stock:

• Slings (universal, full body, bathing, amputee — sized per resident)
• Replacement batteries and chargers (see our full compatibility range)
• Spare handsets and control boxes
• Weighing attachments for monitoring resident weight during transfers

[Browse our full hoist range →]

2. Pressure Care: Mattresses & Cushions

Pressure ulcers remain one of the most serious and preventable risks in care home settings. The right pressure care equipment is essential for resident safety and CQC compliance.

Mattress types:

• Static/foam mattresses — suitable for low-risk residents. Cost-effective and low-maintenance. Look for high-specification foam with waterproof, vapour-permeable covers.
• Dynamic/alternating pressure mattresses — for medium to high-risk residents. Automatically vary pressure points to prevent ulcer formation. The Apollo and Wellell ranges offer excellent options across risk levels.
• Hybrid mattresses — combine foam and dynamic elements for residents who need repositioning support without full alternating pressure.
• Bariatric mattresses — higher weight capacity with reinforced construction for larger residents.

Cushions:

• Gel, foam, and dynamic cushions for wheelchair and chair users
• High-risk cushions for residents with existing pressure damage
• Bariatric cushions for larger residents

What to look for:

• Pressure redistribution rating matched to resident risk assessment
• Waterproof, infection-control-compliant covers
• Easy-clean surfaces for hygiene management
• Compatibility with your existing bed frames

[Browse pressure care mattresses & cushions →]

3. Profiling Beds & Care Home Furniture

The right bed is fundamental to resident comfort, carer safety, and pressure care management. Modern profiling beds do far more than adjust height — they actively support clinical outcomes.

Profiling bed features to prioritise:

• Height adjustment — essential for safe manual handling and reducing carer back injuries
• Backrest and knee break profiling — supports repositioning and pressure care protocols
• Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg — for clinical management of specific conditions
• Ultra-low position — for fall-risk residents, allowing the bed to lower almost to floor level
• Bariatric capacity — higher weight limits with reinforced frames for larger residents

Popular ranges we stock:

• Apollo profiling beds (standard and bariatric)
• Alerta Lomond range (including rotate and stand-up variants)
• Casa and Bradshaw care home beds
• Woburn community profiling beds

Bed accessories:

• Side rails and bumpers (with correct documentation for use)
• Bed rail protectors and head/footboard protectors
• Overbed tables
• Bed moving trolleys for room changes

Care home furniture:

• Rise recliner chairs (essential for residents with limited mobility)
• Specialist seating (Kirton, Repose, and similar clinical seating ranges)
• Cosi chairs and tilt-in-space options for high-dependency residents

[Browse profiling beds & care home furniture →]

4. Assisted Bathing Solutions

Bathing is one of the highest-risk activities in a care home for both residents and staff. The right equipment transforms a potentially hazardous task into a safe, dignified experience.

Options to consider:

• Height-adjustable baths — allow carers to work at a safe height, reducing manual handling risk. The Excel range offers fixed and powered options to suit different budgets and space constraints.
• Powered swing seat baths — integrated seat swings out to allow easy resident transfer, then lowers into the bath. Ideal for residents with limited mobility.
• Bath lifts — retrofit solutions for existing baths. The Oxford Mermaid is a popular fixed option.
• Shower commodes — for residents who prefer showering or where bathing isn't appropriate. Available in standard and bariatric versions.
• Assisted bathing packages — complete solutions including bath, transporter, and hoist compatibility for fully assisted bathing.

Key considerations:

• Available floor space and door width
• Resident dependency levels and transfer methods
• Water and drainage requirements for installation
• Compatibility with existing ceiling track or mobile hoist systems

[Browse assisted bathing solutions →]

5. Hygiene & Sluice Room Equipment

Infection control is a non-negotiable priority in care home settings, and your sluice room equipment is central to maintaining hygiene standards across the facility.

Washer disinfectors: The gold standard for bedpan, urinal, and commode cleaning. Thermal disinfection eliminates pathogens far more reliably than manual cleaning.

• Meiko range — market-leading washer disinfectors for care home sluice rooms. The Topic 20, Topic 40, and Topline San range cover everything from compact single-bay units to high-capacity pass-through systems.
• CS range — compact superior machines for smaller sluice rooms with limited space.

Chemical dispensing systems:

• Seko dispensers for accurate, controlled chemical dosing
• Reduces waste, ensures correct dilution, and simplifies staff training
• Compatible with a range of cleaning and disinfection chemicals

Disinfection and surface hygiene:

• Teccare disinfectant wipes and concentrates
• Electrostatic sprayers for rapid room disinfection (Victory and similar)
• Air purification systems for odour and pathogen control (Radic-8, Aeroguard range)

[Browse sluice & hygiene equipment →]

6. Mobility Aids & Rehabilitation Equipment

Supporting resident independence and mobility is both a care quality priority and a CQC expectation. The right mobility aids help residents maintain function for longer.

Wheelchairs:

• Transit wheelchairs — pushed by a carer, lightweight and easy to store. Ideal for residents with no self-propulsion ability.
• Self-propelled wheelchairs — for residents with upper body strength and motivation to maintain independence.
• Bariatric wheelchairs — higher weight capacity with wider seating for larger residents.
• Tilt-in-space shower commodes — dual-purpose for bathing and mobility.

Walking aids:

• Rollators (three and four-wheel) for residents with some mobility
• Walking frames and zimmer frames
• Parallel bars for rehabilitation and physiotherapy

Transfer aids:

• Transfer belts and patient handling belts
• Slide sheets and transfer boards for bed-to-chair moves
• Swivel turners and transfer aids for standing transfers
• Crash mats and fall protection for high-risk residents

[Browse mobility aids & transfer equipment →]

7. Scales & Monitoring Equipment

Regular weight monitoring is a clinical requirement for many care home residents, particularly those at risk of malnutrition or fluid retention.

Types of scales:

• Column scales — freestanding, suitable for ambulant residents
• Chair scales — for residents who cannot stand, with integrated seating
• Hoist weighing attachments — weigh residents during transfer without additional handling (Marsden M-605 and similar)
• Bariatric scales — higher capacity for larger residents

[Browse scales & monitoring equipment →]

8. Spare Parts & Servicing

Keeping equipment operational between replacement cycles is essential for continuity of care and cost management. Trade2Care stocks spare parts for all major brands we supply.

Commonly needed spare parts:

• Hoist handsets and control boxes (Invacare, Oxford, Molift, Arjo, Joerns)
• Replacement batteries and chargers (all major hoist brands)
• Actuators and control PCBs for profiling beds
• Pump replacements for dynamic mattress systems
• Sling hardware and connectors

Equipment servicing: We also offer equipment servicing and LOLER inspection support. [Contact us →] to discuss a servicing schedule for your facility.

[Browse spare parts →]

Procurement Tips for Care Home Managers

Plan proactively, not reactively Emergency replacements always cost more. Build a rolling equipment audit into your annual planning cycle — review age, condition, and compliance status of all major equipment each year.

Standardise where possible Using the same hoist brand across your facility simplifies staff training, reduces sling compatibility issues, and makes spare parts management far easier.

Consider total cost of ownership A cheaper bed or mattress that requires frequent replacement or causes staff injuries through poor ergonomics is rarely the most cost-effective choice over a 5-year horizon.

Document everything CQC inspectors want to see evidence of proactive equipment management. Maintenance logs, PAT certificates, LOLER records, and replacement schedules all demonstrate a well-run facility.

Buy in bulk for multi-site savings If you manage multiple care homes, consolidated purchasing across sites almost always delivers significant savings. Contact our team to discuss group pricing.

Why Trade2Care?

We supply care homes, NHS trusts, and healthcare facilities across the UK with equipment from leading brands including Invacare, Oxford/Joerns, Arjo, Molift, Meiko, Apollo, Wellell, Alerta, Marsden, and many more.

• Competitive pricing with no compromise on quality
• Expert compatibility advice before you order
• Fast UK delivery
• Full warranty support on all products
• Bulk and multi-site pricing available
• Equipment servicing and LOLER support

[Browse our full catalogue →]

Trade2Care is a UK supplier of care home equipment, medical devices, and healthcare supplies. All products meet UK safety and compliance standards.