Motorised bed pushers introduced

The trolley motors can be fitted to 95% of the beds

Motorised bed pushers are being used by staff moving patients along sloping corridors in a Merseyside hospital.

The 11 devices, which attach to patient beds, cost the University Hospital Aintree £115,000.

The so-called "super trolleys" are designed to provide a smoother ride for patients being taken to surgery, along corridors with a one in 12 gradient.

Project manager Ken Cookson said: "The device allows staff to give full attention to the patient."

The new Easy Rider Remote bed pushers have been developed by Dutch company RRB in conjunction with Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Mr Cookson said: "Training is now under way and the first patients are benefiting from the investment.

"The new trolley pushers, which can be easily fitted to 95% of Aintree's beds, are the culmination of a lot of hard work.

"There is no doubt that the end result is a smoother experience for patients, especially those heading to and from surgery.

"It also benefits the theatre staff accompanying the patient by addressing manual handling issues."