Moving the Bed, Not the Person
Rethinking Manual Handling with the Arctic Turning Bed
Repositioning someone in bed can be one of the most physically demanding aspects of care. Repeated rolling, pulling and reaching can place significant demands on carers, particularly when supporting individuals with limited or no independent mobility.
At Centrobed, we believe equipment should work with the individual and their care team. The Arctic Turning Bed has been designed to provide powered repositioning, helping to change the approach from manually moving the person to allowing the bed to assist with the movement.
Reducing Manual Handling Demands
Traditional repositioning may require carers to physically roll or reposition an individual several times throughout the day and night.
The Arctic’s powered lateral turning function allows the mattress platform to turn smoothly to the left or right. This can help reduce the pushing, pulling, reaching and physical effort associated with manual repositioning.
For carers, this can reduce exposure to repetitive and physically demanding movements while providing a controlled approach to positioning.
Supporting Everyday Care
Powered turning can also provide improved access for:
– Personal care and hygiene
– Dressing and continence care
– Skin inspection
– Pressure-area management
– Changing bedding
– Positioning and postural support
This can support safer working practices while maintaining the individual’s comfort and dignity.
Supporting Night-Time Care
For individuals requiring regular repositioning overnight, repeated hands-on intervention can interrupt sleep and place additional demands on carers.
Where clinically appropriate following individual assessment, powered turning may help reduce the level of physical intervention required for repositioning and support a more comfortable night-time care routine.
Comfort, Dignity and Independence
Manual handling isn’t only about reducing risks for carers. The experience of the person receiving care is equally important.
Smooth, controlled powered movement can reduce repeated hands-on repositioning and support greater comfort and dignity. For suitable individuals, powered functions may also provide opportunities for greater involvement and independence with their own positioning.
Supporting Pressure Care
Regular repositioning can form an important part of pressure management for people unable to independently change position.
The Arctic can assist with controlled changes in position as part of an individual’s wider pressure-care plan, alongside the appropriate mattress, skin monitoring and clinical assessment.
Moving the Bed, Not the Person
An important question when assessing moving and handling requirements is:
Can we reduce or remove the manual handling task rather than simply finding a safer way to perform it?
Powered repositioning gives Occupational Therapists, Moving & Handling Advisors and care teams an opportunity to consider a different approach.
Instead of relying solely on carers to physically move the individual, let the bed assist with the movement.
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Discover It Hands-On at Naidex South Roadshow
📅 9 September 2026
📍 Farnborough
Come and see Centrobed at Naidex South Roadshow and discover our hands-on OT CPD workshop: Moving the Bed, Not the Person.
See the Arctic Turning Bed in action and explore how powered repositioning can:
– Reduce manual handling demands
– Reduce pushing, pulling and repetitive repositioning
– Support safer working practices for carers
– Assist with left and right positioning
– Improve access for personal and pressure care
– Support comfort and dignity
– Support night-time care
– Become part of an individual moving and handling plan
Whether you’re an Occupational Therapist, Moving & Handling Advisor, Physiotherapist or healthcare professional, this practical workshop provides the opportunity to experience powered repositioning first-hand and consider how it could change your approach to manual handling.
Moving the Bed, Not the Person.
Reducing risk. Supporting carers. Improving lives.
