Lifting ban could end after high court ruling

The Disability Rights Commission claims a high court ruling
should end the blanket bans on care workers lifting disabled and
older people.

Mr Justice Munby said that councils should adopt the Health and
Safety Executive guidance on lifting and not the one produced by
the Royal College of Nursing.

The DRC believes the human rights of patients were infringed by
the refusal of care workers to lift them as they follow strict
guidelines designed to prevent nurses gaining injuries from lifting
heavy patients on hospital wards. Disabled and older people can be
left for long periods in baths or on the toilet, and be hurt by
painful hoists.

The judgement followed the case of two severely disabled women
who challenged the blanket ban on lifting by East Sussex
council.

The court stressed that the rights of care workers protected by
health and safety regulations must be balanced by the rights of the
disabled or older person.