Profiling beds & circulation mattresses

sockdrawer

We're looking for a profiling bed and a circulation mattress for my niece who is eight. An adult size one that she can grow into.
She's eight, severely physically challenged and has, in addition, severe epilepsy. Lifting etc is also becoming far too difficult for my sister. My niece is clearly much more comfortable in the profiling bed with the circulation mattress that she has in hospital when she has to be admitted there. Hence the question.
Our local NHS uses the Enterprise 5000 but this costs in excess of £2000 ex. VAT and mattress. She will also need the side rails to stop her falling out.
Has anyone any experience with profiling beds and can recommend manufacturers? Her OT says there is no point in applying through her as although she meets the criteria for one, she would be waiting years for it.
Has anyone any advice for me?

clarissa

Hi,

I have some experience of profiling bed. I manage a nursing home and purchased 40 new profiling beds 3 years ago from a company called Countrywide, link below. They have been excellent, off the top of my head I can't think of any problems at all and they get hammered! Much more expensive beds bought 2 years earlier had horrendous problems, from getting stuck in mid-air to not functioning at all.

In the link we have the PrimaCare Deluxe. I'm pretty sure it came with the integeral bedrails (much safer than the add-on ones) and you can buy the extenders to raise the sides so they are safe with an air-mattress. They are quite domestic looking too which isn't always the case.

http://www.countrywidehealthcare.co.uk/acatalog/ELECTRIC_PROFILING_BEDS.html

I also get all my alternating pressure mattresses from Countrywide, our Tissue Viability Nurse approves of the Picara relacement systems rather than the overlays.

Before you buy it might be worth trying your District Nursing team as they can obtain equipment from the PCT, although it depends on the area to whether it's an easy or slow process.

sockdrawer

Clarissa Thank you! That was very very useful. I'm having a look at the website now. The wee lass is extremely sensitive to pain and discomfort. Is there a specific Countrywide mattress you would use in this situation?

clarissa

The picara 300, 400 or 500 are all good, but it might be worth showing the details to the OT for her opinion.

http://www.countrywidehealthcare.co.uk/acatalog/PICARA_PRESSURE___PAIN_RELIEF_ACTIVE_SYSTEMS.html

sockdrawer

Thank you clarissa, I really appreciate your help.

Js_Other_Half

I know paediatric OTs have arranged for companies to bring in beds for parents to look at (in some special schools in this area ). An OT assessment will be needed anyway for any bed, there are some charities who will help fund it.

sockdrawer

Js_Other_Half Thank you for your post. Really useful to find out what is available in other areas, compared with what my sister had been told. I know the wee lass has had an OT assessment regarding her bed, but that was as far as it went. Going to have a long chat with my sis now I'm a bit better informed. Thank you so much.

jules372

My son has a profiling bed and this was arranged by his OT. It did take a while however for her to get the funding, but was well worth the wait as he wouldn't manage without it now.

Good Luck!
Julie

wattdallas

HI We bought a basic one head and feet tilt but when my daughter had a scoliocis operation when were lent a profiling bed with circulation mattress. Ask your OT.Ours is on long term loan and delivered within 3 days.

Mandymull

my two daughters both have profiling beds....
one has a bed from bakare beds with very high sides, 40 inches high so she cant climb out or roll over the top,
ours were arranged thru OT dept, ask for an assessment--you may find its the SS OT who will do the assessment, just ask and explain about lifting etc, mention health and safety of the carer etc...that usually makes them work abit quciker.
HTH
Mandyx

sockdrawer

jules372, wattdallas, Mandymull Thank you so much for your posts. Unfortunately having done the assessment and agreed the need for a profiling bed (my niece has scoliosis as well as her other genetic health issues) the OT social worker assigned to my niece told her that if my sister went through the OT department it would be years before she got a bed. I'm going to double check as I'm not sure if Fife council (or Tayside Health board) do a hire system. It would be great if they do, as this would address the need for hoists etc in the future.
Thank you once again for your very kind help and advice.