This isn’t the first time there have been safety warnings surrounding the correct use of safety belts and posture belts for supportive seating, wheelchairs, hoists, and other assistive care equipment. Once again the MHRA has issued warnings to ensure that these belts are being correctly used because they pose a serious risk of injury and death when used incorrectly.
This new announcement posted yesterday warns again of the risk when the belts are not fitted or adjusted properly, and it’s important for victims to know their rights
When you are in the care of the NHS or private carers you expect to be looked after safely and properly. When you are not, and you end up suffering as a result, you are entitled to claim for personal injury compensation. We have represented many victims of incidents where poor care has led to injuries and even death.
We have represented victims, and their families, who have sustained injuries and lost their lives as a result of devices used to secure patients not being used correctly.
In this new announcement, the MHRA are once again, warning that patients have their belts adjusted and fitted correctly due to serious risk of users slipping down and suffering asphyxiation, strangulation, or impact injuries from falling out of chairs or hoists. Other supports are sometimes needed where the belts alone are not good enough to secure the patient, and there are continual problems with staff not fitting or checking the belts during or before use.
A dangerous combination of poor fitting, poor adjustment, and poor maintenance is said to be the cause of this ongoing problem.
The MHRA has established a plan of action to ensure that all carers and service users are knowledgeable in the manufactures instructions and to ensure that the individual needs of the users are properly met. Training is key here if we are to see an end to this ongoing problem that our own lawyers have been involved in cases for.
In a statement from our team:
“It’s important that staff are trained and up to speed in the use of belts on assistive technologies across the board. The onus is on the carers to make sure the patients are secure which isn’t always happening. As a long standing problem, this new report from the MHRA highlights again the risk of injury and death that ineffective use of the belts can cause.”
Have you or someone you know been affected by a posture or safety belt incident?
You are entitled to make a claim for personal injury compensation and our legal team have expertise in fighting for the rights of patients for decades.
For free advice on a no obligation basis just call our claims helpline on 0800 634 7575.
