Hospital mattresses

A profiling bed is an adjustable hospital-style bed whose sections can be raised and lowered independently to support the patient in a variety of therapeutic and comfortable positions. Most profiling beds offer at minimum a backrest raise and leg raise function, with four-section models additionally allowing the knee break section to be independently adjusted.

Profiling beds are indicated for patients who:

Have limited mobility and require assistance with repositioning to reduce pressure ulcer risk.

Experience respiratory difficulties and benefit from sleeping in an elevated or semi-recumbent position.

Require post-operative positioning or management of oedema through limb elevation.

Are cared for at home by family members or carers who require a height-adjustable platform for safe manual handling.

Electric profiling beds are operated by a hand control, allowing patients to adjust their own position independently where possible, supporting dignity and reducing carer burden.

A low bed is a profiling bed that can descend to a very low height from the floor — typically between 15cm and 25cm at its lowest setting. This significantly reduces the risk of injury if a patient falls or rolls out of bed.

Low beds are used for patients at high risk of falls, particularly those with dementia, delirium, neurological conditions or a history of previous falls. They are widely used in elderly care wards, dementia units, nursing homes and community hospital settings.

Low beds are often used in combination with floor-level crash mats placed alongside the bed to further cushion any fall. Some low beds incorporate ultra-low profiles that allow the sleeping surface to rest almost at floor level, making them suitable for the highest-risk patients where conventional bed rails are inappropriate or ineffective.

Pressure relief mattresses are classified by type and by the level of risk they are designed to manage:

Static foam mattresses use high-specification foam with a profiled or zoned structure to redistribute pressure passively. They are suitable for patients at low to medium pressure ulcer risk and require no power supply.

Reactive (viscoelastic or gel) foam mattresses use memory foam or gel layers that conform to the patient's body contours, reducing peak pressure points. Suitable for medium to high risk patients.

Dynamic alternating pressure mattresses use an electric pump to alternately inflate and deflate a series of air cells across the mattress surface, cyclically relieving pressure from different areas of the body. These are indicated for patients at high to very high risk of pressure ulcers, or those with existing Grade 2 or above pressure injuries.

Low air loss mattresses incorporate a dynamic air system that also allows moisture and heat to escape through the mattress surface, reducing skin maceration. Used for patients with existing severe pressure injuries or those at very high risk.

Selection should be guided by the patient's Waterlow or Braden score, existing skin condition and clinical assessment. If you need help selecting the appropriate mattress for a specific patient, contact our clinical team.

Standard hospital and community profiling beds are typically rated for patient weights of 140kg to 180kg. For patients exceeding this weight limit, a dedicated bariatric bed is required.

Using a standard bed beyond its rated weight capacity is a serious risk — both for the patient in terms of structural failure and for carers in terms of manual handling injury. Weight capacity must always be confirmed before placing a patient on any bed.

Bariatric beds in our range are available with safe working loads of 250kg, 300kg and above depending on model. Bariatric mattresses with matching weight capacities and widths are available to complement these beds. Contact our team to discuss the appropriate specification for your patient's needs.

Many profiling beds are supplied with optional half-length or full-length side rails. Side rails serve several functions including providing a gripping point to assist patients in repositioning themselves, preventing accidental rolling out of bed during sleep, and supporting safe transfer.

However, side rails carry significant entrapment and strangulation risks if used inappropriately, particularly for confused, agitated or cognitively impaired patients. The MHRA has issued guidance on safe use of bed rails and recommends individual risk assessment before their use.

Side rails should never be used as a substitute for clinical monitoring or as a restraint. Their use must be documented as part of the patient's care plan following a formal risk assessment. Half-length rails positioned at the head end only are generally considered lower risk than full-length rails.

If you have questions about safe rail selection for a specific patient group, contact our team for guidance.

Yes. Community profiling beds for home use are widely prescribed for patients with complex care needs who are being managed at home rather than in a hospital or care home setting. They are structurally similar to ward beds but are designed to fit through standard domestic doorways and in typical bedroom spaces.

Community beds are often provided through NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) or local authority funded care packages for patients with assessed needs. They can also be purchased privately directly from Selfimed UK.

Key considerations for home use include bedroom access dimensions, floor surface type, proximity to mains sockets for electric models, and the manual handling needs of carers. We can advise on suitable models for your home environment if you contact our team with your requirements.

Bed frames: wipe down with a healthcare-grade disinfectant solution compatible with the bed's surface finish. Pay particular attention to joints, crevices and electrical controls where contamination can accumulate. Follow the manufacturer's approved cleaning agent list to avoid damaging the finish or electrical components.

Mattress covers: most pressure relief mattresses are supplied with a two-way stretch, waterproof, vapour-permeable cover that can be wiped clean between patient uses and removed for machine washing when required. Check the manufacturer's guidance for approved cleaning temperatures and agents.

Dynamic mattress pumps: wipe the pump unit exterior with a damp cloth. Do not immerse in water. Check the inlet filter on the pump periodically and replace when dusty or blocked.

Between patients: a full terminal clean of the bed frame and mattress cover is required between patients in clinical settings, in accordance with your organisation's infection prevention and control policy.

Yes. Selfimed UK supplies NHS Trusts, community hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, care homes, private hospitals and community care providers. We can process orders by purchase order and provide VAT invoices, delivery notes and full product documentation.

For volume orders of five beds or more, please contact our team directly for a quotation. We can arrange delivery to ward level or central stores, and assembly on-site can be arranged for an additional charge depending on location.

We can provide UKCA declarations of conformity, IFUs and technical specifications for all products we supply to support your procurement and clinical governance requirements.

Yes. Profiling beds, pressure relief mattresses and associated equipment are eligible for VAT Relief under Group 12 of Schedule 8 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994, when purchased by an individual with a qualifying chronic illness or disability for personal or domestic use.

To claim VAT Relief, tick the declaration at checkout confirming your eligibility. This reduces the purchase price by 20%. The declaration must be truthful — making a false declaration is a criminal offence under UK law.

NHS Trusts and registered charities may qualify for separate VAT relief provisions on institutional purchases. Contact our team before placing a large order to confirm the applicable VAT treatment.