Portering Chair Rear Steer, Nesting, Sliding Foot Rest Bristol Blue
Bristol Maid
Medical furniturePortering chair / treatment room patient transport chair
Certifications
- CE Marked portering chair meeting relevant European/UK medical device and safety requirements for use in healthcare environments
- Manufactured by Hospital Metalcraft Ltd (Bristol Maid), which operates an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system for the design, manufacture and supply of medical furniture and equipment
- Designed and built for use in regulated healthcare settings such as NHS hospitals and clinics, in line with applicable health and safety standards
- CE Marked portering chair meeting relevant European/UK medical device and safety requirements for use in healthcare environments
- Manufactured by Hospital Metalcraft Ltd (Bristol Maid), which operates an ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system for the design, manufacture and supply of medical furniture and equipment
- Designed and built for use in regulated healthcare settings such as NHS hospitals and clinics, in line with applicable health and safety standards
Portering chair / treatment room patient transport chair
Description
The Portering Chair - Rear Steer, Nesting, Sliding Foot Rest - Bristol Blue is a heavy-duty hospital portering chair manufactured by Bristol Maid (Hospital Metalcraft Ltd) for the safe and comfortable transportation of patients around clinical environments. It features rear steering for easy manoeuvrability, a nesting design to minimise floor space when multiple chairs are stored, seamless contoured upholstery in flame retardant antimicrobial vinyl (Bristol Blue), moulded drop-down armrests to allow side access, and a sliding rubber footrest that both aids patient access and supports the feet during transit. The chair incorporates a step that is engineered so the chair will not tip if a patient stands on it, and includes an X-ray/notes pocket on the rear of the backrest, two hooks for patient belongings, and fittings on the rear uprights to accept IV poles or cylinder holders. The chair is supplied on large fixed wheels with cushioned braking castors and has a maximum safe working load of 190kg.
Bnefits
- Heavy-duty portering chair designed specifically for safe patient transport in hospitals and clinics
- Rear steer design improves manoeuvrability for porters in tight corridors and busy ward environments
- Nesting frame design allows multiple chairs to be stored together, reducing floor space usage and encouraging tidy storage
- Seamless, contoured upholstery in flame retardant antimicrobial vinyl supports infection control and ease of cleaning
- Moulded drop-down armrests enable easy sideways transfer and assisted access for patients and carers
- Sliding rubber footrest facilitates safe stepping up into the chair and supports the feet comfortably during transit
- Stable design engineered not to tip if a patient stands on the step/footrest, improving safety
- Integrated X-ray/notes pocket on the rear of the backrest provides convenient storage for charts and documentation
- Two hooks on the rear of the chair allow secure hanging of patient belongings and small bags
- Rear uprights include fittings to accept IV poles or cylinder holders for transporting patients requiring infusions or oxygen
- Large 200mm fixed wheels and 150mm cushioned total-stop braking castors support smooth movement and secure parking
- High maximum load capacity of 190kg, suitable for a broad range of adult patients
Indications
- Transporting seated patients safely between departments, wards, clinics and treatment rooms within hospitals and other healthcare facilities
- Use in outpatient departments, imaging units, day surgery units, emergency departments and wards where patients require seated transfer
- Supportive seating during short waiting periods or transfers within a clinical environment
- Situations where integrated IV pole or cylinder holder fittings may be needed to move patients with infusions or oxygen cylinders
Composition
- Heavy-duty metal frame, typically manufactured from steel with a durable painted finish
- Seamless contoured upholstery in flame retardant antimicrobial vinyl (Bristol Blue colourway)
- Moulded drop-down armrests (polymer and metal construction)
- Sliding rubber-covered footrest/step to aid access and support feet during transit
- Large 200mm fixed wheels and 150mm cushioned total-stop braking castors
- Rear uprights engineered with fittings for optional IV poles or cylinder holders
- Integrated rear pocket (textile/vinyl) for X-ray images or patient notes
- Hooks (metal) on the rear for hanging patient belongings
Formulation
- Rear steer portering chair with nesting frame architecture to allow multiple chairs to interlock front-to-back when stored
- Single fixed-height seat with contoured backrest and integrated armrests designed for adult patients
- Seamless, easy-wipe antimicrobial vinyl upholstery over foam padding for comfort and infection control
- Drop-down armrest mechanism on both sides to enable side access and lateral transfers
- Sliding footrest/step that extends forwards for access and retracts under the chair during storage or when not required
- Four-wheel configuration: two large 200mm fixed rear wheels and two 150mm cushioned castors at the front with total-stop braking
- Rear uprights configured with mounting points for accessory IV poles or cylinder holders
- CE-marked medical device designed and manufactured for healthcare environments
Packaging
- Supplied as a single portering chair unit specified as G/200/RS/VBB (Rear Steer, Nesting, Sliding Foot Rest, Bristol Blue upholstery)
- Chair is supplied fully assembled or with minimal final assembly required, according to distributor logistics and delivery method
- Delivered as part of the Bristol Maid furniture range, typically palletised or carton-protected for transport
- Standard finish: Grey paint to frame, Bristol Blue vinyl upholstery as specified
Usage
- Use only on level or gently sloping surfaces suitable for wheeled portering chairs and in accordance with local manual-handling policies.
- Before use, visually inspect the chair to ensure that the frame, wheels, castors, armrests and footrest are undamaged and functioning correctly; do not use if any components appear loose, broken or excessively worn.
- Ensure castors are unlocked before moving the chair and locked (using the total-stop braking castors) whenever the chair is parked, during patient transfer, or when the patient is getting in or out of the chair.
- Position the chair close to the patient, apply brakes, and deploy the sliding footrest to create a safe step and foot support.
- Use the moulded drop-down armrests to provide side access for assisted transfers where required; return armrests to the locked upright position before moving the chair.
- Assist the patient to sit fully back in the seat with their feet placed securely on the sliding footrest; check that clothing and limbs are clear of moving parts and wheels before transit.
- Push from the handle/ rear frame using correct manual-handling technique; avoid excessive speed, steep ramps or obstacles that could compromise stability.
- When using optional accessories such as IV poles or cylinder holders, ensure they are correctly fitted to the rear uprights and that any equipment (e.g., infusion pumps, cylinders) is secured according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- After use, remove the patient safely with brakes applied, then clean the chair and upholstery with an appropriate detergent/disinfectant in line with infection prevention and control policies; ensure the chair is dry before returning to service.
- Nest chairs together for storage by rolling the front of one chair into the rear of another, ensuring footrests are retracted, brakes are off while nesting, and then applied once chairs are parked.
Contraindications
- Do not use to transport patients whose weight exceeds the maximum safe working load of 190kg.
- Not suitable for use on steep ramps, uneven ground, or surfaces where wheels or castors cannot roll safely.
- Do not use for patients who cannot safely sit upright or who require specialist postural support beyond that provided by a standard portering chair, unless additional risk assessment and support measures are in place.
- Do not stand on or use the chair as a general-purpose step or ladder other than as intended for patient access via the integrated step/footrest.
- Do not use if the chair shows signs of structural damage (bent frame, broken welds, damaged wheels or castors, failed brakes, torn upholstery) or if safety features (brakes, armrest locks, footrest mechanism) are not functioning correctly.
Adverse Effects
- Risk of patient discomfort or instability if the chair is used without brakes correctly applied during transfers or if the patient is not seated properly.
- Potential for minor injury (e.g., pinching, knocks) to patient or staff if fingers, hands or feet are placed near moving parts such as the sliding footrest, armrest mechanisms or wheels during operation.
- Risk of trips, slips or falls if the patient steps onto or off the footrest without adequate assistance or if footwear is unsuitable for stepping.
- Manual-handling risks to staff (e.g., musculoskeletal strain) if the chair is pushed, turned or braked improperly or if used on unsuitable surfaces.
- Inadequate cleaning and disinfection may contribute to infection risks in clinical environments if local decontamination protocols are not followed.
Storage Conditions
- Store indoors in a dry, clean clinical environment when not in use.
- Use the nesting design to store multiple chairs together, keeping walkways clear and reducing floor space usage.
- Ensure brakes are applied when chairs are parked or stored to prevent unintended movement.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, excessive heat or harsh chemicals that may degrade upholstery or painted surfaces.
- Clean and dry the chair before longer-term storage, and perform regular checks on wheels, castors, brakes and upholstery as part of routine equipment maintenance schedules.
Duration
Not applicable; this product is a medical transport chair used for individual patient transfers and short-term seated transport rather than time-based clinical treatment.
Onset
Immediate functional effect during use, providing seating support and mobility as soon as the patient is seated and the chair is moved.













