Hoist Use Issues:

Ceiling Hoist v Mobile Hoist

A number of people have asked us about mobile hoists. Aren’t they better than fixed ones?

We believe that ceiling track hoists have the following benefits over and above mobile hoists:

• They can be used in spaces where there is insufficient space to manoeuvre a mobile hoist.

• Mobile hoists often require two people to assist a user, whereas many users can use a ceiling track hoist with one PA or carer.

• With a mobile hoist you need space under the bed for its legs - about 15cm which few hotel beds provide.

• A mobile hoist cannot be used to get into a bath unless it is specially designed with clearance underneath.

Although for most ceiling hoist users a single track from bed through to bath and toilet is the ideal, but sometimes this will necessitate an extensive rebuild and perhaps even compromise on space. We all have to learn to work creatively and the solution, for instance, we worked out with Intercontinental Hotels Group to facilitate their installation, was two tracks, one in the bathroom for bath and toilet and one in the bedroom. The hoist chosen was one which is used in many hospital sites and the hoist itself is easily unhooked from one track by a PA or carer and moved to the other. If anyone has any queries about the system feel free to e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Transportable ceiling hoists have additional benefit of being removable from the track when not needed. This prevents their being abused and broken by people who do not need them and value them appropriately.

Read a personal experience of using a mobile hoist in an accessible hotel bedroom here

Why choose a ceiling track hoist?

Ceiling Track hoists have many advantages:

A ceiling track hoist is quick and easy to use, and is never in the way, and always where you need it. Because of this constant availability, it is more likely to be used by carers than a mobile hoist, which may not be to hand immediately when it is required.

Positioning a person is easier with a ceiling track hoist. It eliminates the risk of back injury for carers when performing a transfer and requires minimum effort to operate . As in most cases it can be operated by one person, there is much closer contact between the user and the carer and can be more dignified in use than other solutions. A person is more easily positioned using the ceiling track hoist, as they can be raised lowered turned and traversed with no physical effort from the carer.

It does not take up floor space and is therefore often suitable for use in restricted areas or toilets/small bathrooms where a mobile hoist might be difficult to manoeuvre. It does not have ‘traffic’ problems in moving and is not affected by different levels of floor or rucks in carpets.

It can lift higher and lower than a mobile hoist: the same hoist can be used for floor to chair transfer, chair to shower stretcher, raised bath, or bed.

Ceiling Track hoists are very well received by persons being lifted in them, who generally feel secure as they experience no sudden movement. The Freeway has a ‘soft start’ as a standard feature, which means that the hoist gradually builds up to its full speed and virtually eliminates jerking.

Because a ceiling track hoist only requires a button to operate it, the carer is left free to aid the user at all times, which gives confidence to the user and leaves the carer free to attend to the comfort of the user.