FOI release

CEC 208193 Safe use of bed levers

This request was refused in full, so we didn't provide the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2024/00801

Received 11 December 2024

Published 17 January 2025

Request

I refer to your National Safety Alert on bed rails and bed levers. As you rightly identify there are significant risks relating to the provision of these pieces of equipment. My understanding is there are 18 deaths over four years relating to bed levers and bed rails. These cases would have been heard at inquests which are open hearings that could be reported on. I want to review these cases as a learning exercise for our clinical team. Would you be able to provide me with the case report details so I can read the cases and understand how the equipment contributed to patient mortality. I used to work as a solicitor so I would understand the caselaw and how to apply it to clinical practice. We want to do our best for patients and understanding the risks identified by the inquest would help especially with bed levers where mortality seems less clear cut.

Response

see atatched

Documents

• FOI2024_00801 redacted for publication.pdf (102.0 KB)

This is Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.

You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.