We are pleased to inform you that a new Bed Rail Risk Management Guide is now available to support all care providers in responding to the National Patient Safety Alert regarding the safe use of bed rails. This guidance should be helpful to any provider that supports individuals with Bed Rails, and will be particularly important for all Care Homes who are responsible for ordering bed rails and completing the associated risk assessments.
This guidance has been developed to help providers confidently and safely navigate decisions around the use of bed rails and bed levers. It aligns with the latest MHRA guidance and draws upon best practice principles to ensure that equipment is used only when necessary, and always in a safe, person-centred manner.
While this guide has been developed primarily with Care Homes in mind, it can also be used as a reference in community settings. Although there is currently no expectation for community providers to order equipment, we strongly encourage providers to familiarise themselves with the guidance so they can identify risks and raise appropriate referrals for community-based reviews where necessary.
What the Guide Includes:
- Key points from the National Patient Safety Alert and MHRA’s Bed Rails: Management and Safe Use
- A structured approach to completing risk assessments
- Guidance for applying the Mental Capacity Act (2005), including best interest decision-making
- Practical considerations and prompts to support person-centred conversations with individuals, relatives, and carers
- A QR code linking directly to the Patient Safety Alert leaflet for sharing with individuals or family members
- Clear advice for professionals reviewing equipment they did not originally prescribe
We understand this may be a new process for some providers, especially where changes to an individual’s current arrangements may cause distress. The guide offers language and strategies to approach these conversations sensitively, supporting engagement, shared decision-making, and documentation.
This tool is intended to be used and reviewed as needed, and we recommend referring to the National Patient Safety Alert and MHRA guidance regularly to remain up to date with your roles and responsibilities.
🔗 Access the National Patient Safety Alert: National Patient Safety Alert: Medical beds, trolleys, bed rails, bed grab handles and lateral turning devices: risk of death from entrapment or falls (NatPSA/2023/010/MHRA) – GOV.UK
We encourage you to share this guidance with relevant staff, including those involved in risk management, equipment provision, review, or direct care. This tool is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting safe, responsive care across our provider community.
Upcoming workshops
HCPA are offering workshops to support providers in implementing this guidance. These sessions are ideal where teams may benefit from specialist input or would like to build further confidence in risk assessment, person-centred decision-making, and documentation.
Bed Rail Risk Management for Hertfordshire Managers
Location: Online
Date: Tuesday 30th September 2025
Time: 10:00 – 11:30
Location: Online
This session will help managers confidently navigate decisions about the use of bed rails and bed levers, in line with MHRA guidance and best practice principles. The training will cover when equipment is necessary, how to complete risk assessments effectively, and how to ensure decisions are always safe and person-centred.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the purpose and key content of the new Bed Rail Risk Management Guide.
2. Recognise their responsibilities under the National Patient Safety Alert regarding bed rail safety.
3. Identify when and how bed rails and bed levers should be considered, in line with MHRA guidance.
4. Confidently oversee the completion of risk assessments for bed rails within their service.
5. Support care staff to make safe, person-centred decisions about bed rail use.
6. Understand when to escalate concerns or request a community-based review.
Bed Rail Risk Management for Hertfordshire Care Staff
This session will help care staff confidently navigate decisions about the use of bed rails and bed levers, in line with MHRA guidance and best practice principles. The training will cover when equipment is necessary, how to complete risk assessments effectively, and how to ensure decisions are always safe and person-centred. It will also assist care staff in identifying where there are risks associated with bed rails that are in place which is appropriate for all care staff.
Cohort 1:
Date: Tuesday 28th October 2025
Time: 10:00 – 12:30
Location: HCPA Offices, Mundells, Welwyn Garden City
Cohort 2:
Date: Tuesday 18th November 2025
Time: 10:00 – 12:30
Location: HCPA Offices, Mundells, Welwyn Garden City
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the key risks associated with bed rails and bed levers.
2. Follow the step-by-step process in the Bed Rail Risk Management Guide.
3. Accurately complete a bed rail risk assessment for residents in their care.
4. Apply person-centred thinking when deciding on bed rail use.
5. Identify when equipment is no longer necessary or needs reassessment.
6. Recognise signs that a referral to a community-based review may be needed.