Obesity means we have to think a bit bigger

At Ferno we have, over the past couple of years, witnessed a significant rise in demand for bariatric medical equipment as emergency medical services and hospitals struggle to manage with the UK’s growing obesity problem.
As innovators in the industry we have developed a range of specialist equipment including wheel chairs, stretchers and hospital and ambulance trolleys specially designed for bariatric patients.
The term "bariatric" refers to the population of obese patients who require specialist medical intervention and equipment.
The rise in obesity in the UK population has required Ferno, over a number of years, to design, develop and manufacture a range of specialist medical equipment to treat the nation’s bariatric condition and provide the medical profession with a solution to what is a growing problem.
And this is right across the board from equipment in hospitals to the trolley or wheelchair in the back of an ambulance. Ambulance trusts have had to invest significant amounts in bariatric ambulances in recent years and hospitals are increasing the number of extra-wide, reinforced beds as the demands of larger patients put greater pressure on the system and its staff.
Research by the National Patient Safety Agency shows that nearly a quarter of adults and one in seven children are now estimated to be clinically obese - someone with a body mass index of 30 or over - with the cost to the health service topping £4bn a year.
The problems facing the NHS where recently illustrated by a report that some hospitals are asking  zoos and vets to scan patients who are too obese to fit into hospital scanners. The Royal Veterinary College said its CT scanners, customised for horses, could accommodate patients weighing 30 stone.
The larger bariatric equipment we have designed and developed allows a smooth, dignified approach to dealing with larger patients and we have had some really positive feedback from patients and medical professionals
However, with obesity levels in the UK expected to rise further we expect to see further demand for our products. Providing care to the increasing population of obese patients creates new challenges but also increases the likelihood of injuries to medical professionals and our equipment offers numerous features designed to help caregivers provide the best possible care for patients, safely and efficiently.

By Jon Ellis