"Equipment needed not available"

One of the people we support was recently taken by ambulance to QA, two days prior to this he had been assessed as requiring hoisting. When it was time for him to go home the ward were unable to find a mobile hoist to enable him to be transferred to a wheelchair. This is a common theme when people require hoisting in this hospital and if the hoist can be found on whichever ward it's on it is usually not charged.

The two patient transport staff were told to manually transfer him from the bed to the wheelchair? Whilst I appreciate that he needed to transfer this wasn't the safest option for all involved and goes against moving and handling techniques that all involved would have to be trained in including the nurse that insisted this was done

The same nurse then screamed at me down the phone accusing everyone involved of making her feel more stressed. This nurse had been on duty for a matter of 7 minutes which she informed most people involved in this situation.

The gentleman we support had a learning disability and was completely unable to transfer himself with support due to a decline in his mobility which was very recent.

I would have expected a hospital to have the equipment that a lot of people require these days. This is not the first time that this issue has occurred and only ensures that the whole experience is distressing for those that need this type of equipment.

I would have thought that NHS staff would be trained to an acceptable level of moving and handling and have the knowledge and skills needed to make an appropriate decision that is safe for all.

If you google moving and handling in hospitals what you find is advice of how to safely use the equipment needed.

Whilst I appreciate that the NHS is going through a difficult period by not having the equipment needed you either waste valuable time looking for it or as in this case take an inappropriate decision.

I can also appreciate that nurses are stressed but that doesn't excuse them screaming down the phone at people who are only try to help and trying to do their own jobs safely and effectively.