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IRIC safety alert

National Patient Safety Alert – NatPSA/2026/005/MHRA

Published on 16 September 2026

From: NHSScotland Assure

NatPSA/2026/005/MHRA - Patient hoists and slings (all types): risk of death and serious harm from falls

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Fatal and serious harm continues to occur when patients fall from hoists or slings during transfers and repositioning. A review of recent incidents with a fatal outcome and wider surveillance data shows an average of two deaths per year since 2015.