Children and Young People's Occupational Therapy Service

About Profiling Beds

A profiling bed is a bed that has additional functions to support independence, care, and nursing needs. You might often hear these types of beds referred to as ‘hospital beds’ or ‘care beds’. Profiling beds can look slightly different depending on manufacturer, style, and features, they generally consist of a level lie flat area that has adjustable segments. You can find features such as:

A diagram of 5 circles that each contain a function of a profile bed. Circle 1, lift and lower. Circle 2, adjustable back and head rest. Circle 3, leg elevation. Circle 4, tilt forward and back. Circle 5, wheeled base.

Your Occupational Therapist will consider your child’s needs and abilities when arranging advice and equipment to support you and your child, this may include completing a risk assessment. Following updates in the guidance on beds and accessories from the MHRA in 2023, new advice was given to clinicians and providers to improve safety. The below image shows areas that we must consider in relation to entrapment risks.


Getting to Know Your Bed

Each part of the bed is assessed for a specific purpose of function to support you and your child, we have broken down some key information about the most common items for you below.

Bed rails, bed levers and other accessories should only be fitted by a technician or other trained persons.

Profiling beds are important pieces of equipment that when used incorrectly could be hazardous to children and carers. Should you have any concerns or questions we encourage you to speak to your therapist , other provider, or contact the CYPOT service directly.

Using Profiling Beds

Your Occupational Therapist may have prescribed a profiling bed to support with tasks such as getting in and out of bed, using equipment such as a hoist or to help with assisted care tasks. It is important to note that you may have been prescribed a profiling bed by other professionals such as Childrens Nursing who will have done so to support other needs such as the use of medical devices (ventilators or overnight oxygen use).

Safety Tips

Key Tips

Profiling beds are important pieces of equipment that when used incorrectly could be hazardous to children and carers. Should you have any concerns or questions we encourage you to speak to your therapist, other provider, or contact the CYPOT service directly. The MEDEQUIP sticker located on the body of the equipment can also help.