HIGH-TECH electric hospital beds are being used in the region for the first time.
The beds, which can help to reduce the danger of pressure sores, can be controlled by the patient through a handset.
Following a survey which showed that about a quarter of patients suffer from pressure-related problems, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead replaced 484 of its 1,000 conventional beds.
The new beds have mattresses which reduce the risk of pressure sores and can be customised to meet the needs of individual patients. Patients can also use an attached handset to alter the position of their bed and back rest.
This gives patients greater independence and comfort, as well as reducing the amount of nursing time that they require.
Another benefit of the new beds is the reduction in potential back injury risk for nurses.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article