A moving and handling plan has one job: to let the person doing the transfer do it safely, the same way every time, whoever they are. That only works if the plan is complete, current and easy to follow at the bedside. These are the six parts a good plan contains.
1. Preparation
What has to be checked and set up before the task starts: that the person is ready and has consented, that the space is clear, that brakes are on, that footwear is suitable and that the equipment is where it should be. Many near misses start before the first step, so this is where the plan starts too.
2. Numbered steps
The task in the order it is done, one action to a step, in plain English. A new carer, an agency worker or someone working in a second language should be able to follow it without interpretation. Avoid abbreviations the reader may not know.
3. Carers and positions
How many carers the task needs and where each one stands. If the number of carers is not written down, it will be decided on the day by whoever is rostered, which is exactly what a plan exists to prevent.
4. Equipment and checks
The equipment named precisely: the type of hoist, the sling type and size, the transfer aid. With it, the checks before each use, such as the sling label, the date of the last thorough examination under LOLER, and signs of wear. Naming the sling size matters: HSE guidance on hoisting people lists the wrong sling, or one that is not compatible with the hoist, among the common causes of incidents.
5. Stop points
When to stop straight away: the person becomes distressed or withdraws consent, reports new pain, becomes dizzy or pale, the equipment faults, or the environment changes. A carer who knows when to stop is safer than one who only knows how to carry on.
6. Review triggers
The changes that mean the plan must be looked at again, and the date it is next due. Typical triggers include a fall or near miss, a change in the person's weight bearing, pain, cognition or skin, and any change of equipment, provider or environment.
Putting it together
Every plan in the Handling Plan library follows this structure, so the same heading is always in the same place. Your own notes for the person sit beside the verified steps rather than replacing them.
This article is general information. A plan is written from an individual assessment and does not replace one.