Supersize hospital beds for the obese

May 1 2008 by Liz Hands, The Journal

A HOSPITAL has brought in supersize beds to accommodate morbidly obese patients weighing up to 50 stone.

Sunderland Royal Hospital is hiring about £300,000-worth of special beds, including four for the morbidly obese and 152 to cater for heavier than normal patients.

The hospital has already brought in bigger commodes, comfy chairs and theatre tables that can take the weight of a 70-stone patient.

The beds are part of a scheme to replace 852 of the hospital’s 919 ageing bed stock, which should also help in the fight against superbugs such as MRSA.

City Hospitals Sunderland medical director Les Boobis said: “There is an obesity epidemic. “A significant number of patients are now heavier than perhaps they were 20 years ago. So we require beds that are better designed for their needs.”

Sunderland features near the top of the UK obesity league table of cities, with almost a quarter of adults – about 50,000 – labelled obese.

In February public health bosses launched a £1m scheme to tackle Wearside’s obesity time bomb, including free slimming classes, more surgery for weight problems, and experts providing fitness advice and support at the new Aquatic Centre.

Hospital bosses are also getting an extra equipment washing machine, built in the United States, to cater for its bigger new beds with bigger laundry loads..

In April North East Ambulance Service introduced two specialist vehicle for overweight casualties, which have a wheelchair capable of carrying 50stones, a hydraulic lift, slings and a blow-up mattress.

“People who are morbidly obese are often handicapped by having to make do with equipment designed for normal weight people,” said Mr Boobis.

“As caring people we need to make provision for them, then they are more motivated to address the problem.”

The Royal’s new beds would have cost £1.7m to buy, but is being leased at £250,000 a year. It is due to be in place by June, along with new mattresses and intravenous drip poles.

Mr Boobis said some hospitals which have undergone major bed replacement programmes have seen a reduction in infections.

He added: “Maintaining the level of cleanliness by putting in the equipment and washing system hopefully will keep the benefit of having new beds.”