Healthcare specialism · QQI Level 6 accredited
Patient handling training
Specialist people moving and handling training for hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and disability services across Ireland. QQI Level 6 accredited. Delivered by HSE Single-Supplier Framework holder.
Onsite at your facility · Galway training centre available · Same-week availability · HSE Framework eligible
HSE Framework Provider
Specialist Ergonomic Assessments
Lot 8 · SAP Vendor 10013281
Single Supplier for the HSE Framework Manual Handling and People Handling Training
Official Supplier of Display Screen Assessments under Lot 8 of the Framework for Health and Safety Consultancy and Training
Patient handling training, often called people moving and handling training, teaches healthcare and care staff the safe, evidence-based techniques for moving and positioning patients, residents and clients. Usafety delivers QQI Level 6 accredited people handling training to Irish hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, disability services and primary-care networks. We hold the HSE Single-Supplier Framework for manual handling and people handling training and have been an Irish authority on workplace movement, handling and MSK risk since 1995. Programmes are clinically led by our specialist ergonomics team, including the Specialist Healthcare Ergonomist to the HSE.
Who we train
Healthcare and care settings
Specialist programmes tailored to the people-handling realities of each clinical and care setting.
Hospitals
Acute and community hospitals — ward staff, theatre porters, radiographers, ED.
Nursing homes
Residential and dementia care settings. Refresher cadences mapped to roster cycles.
Care homes & disability services
Residential, day-services and supported-living settings. Service-user dignity built into the curriculum.
Primary care & community
Community nursing, public-health nursing, primary-care networks, hospices.
Curriculum
What the training covers
Every Usafety programme starts from your real environment and equipment — instructors come on site with the slings, hoists and bed-rail aids your team will actually use.
Programmes are designed to leave staff confident in the most common daily handling scenarios and clear on documentation, sign-off and audit trails.
- Bed transfers, sit-to-stand, repositioning
- Hoist use — ceiling, mobile, standing
- Sling selection and competence
- Sliding sheets and bed-rail aids
- Falls — assisted lifts and recovery
- Bariatric handling considerations
- Two-person and team-handling protocols
- Risk assessment and load assessment
- Documentation, sign-off and audit trails
Logistics
Format and duration
Refresher
~3 hours
Standard People Handling Refresher. HSA and HSE expect every 2-3 years; many employers run annual.
Initial / full course
Up to 6 hours
Comprehensive course for new starters. Combines theory, technique, hoist competence and equipment-specific practice.
Location
Onsite or Galway
Nationwide onsite delivery using your equipment, or hosted at our Galway training centre.
Accreditation
QQI Level 6
HSE Single-Supplier Framework, QQI Level 6 instructors, HSA compliant.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is patient handling training?
Patient handling training — sometimes called people moving and handling training — teaches healthcare workers and care staff the safe, evidence-based techniques for moving and positioning patients, residents and clients. It covers transfers, hoist use, repositioning in bed, falls assistance and the use of sliding sheets, slide boards and bed-rail aids. Usafety delivers QQI Level 6 accredited courses to nurses, healthcare assistants, care home staff and disability services personnel across Ireland.
Is people handling training a legal requirement in Ireland?
Yes — for workplaces where staff move or position people as part of their role, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (SI 299/2007) require employers to ensure staff are trained in safe handling techniques. The HSE and HSA expect refresher training every 2-3 years; many employers run annual refreshers to maintain best practice.
What is the difference between manual handling and people handling?
Manual handling covers the safe lifting and moving of inanimate loads — boxes, equipment, stock. People (or patient) handling specifically covers the safe moving and positioning of people, which is fundamentally different because the load is alive, can shift unpredictably, may resist or cooperate, and has dignity considerations. Healthcare workers, care assistants, nursing home staff and disability services need people handling training; warehouse and retail staff need manual handling.
Who delivers Usafety patient handling training?
Usafety is the HSE Single-Supplier Framework holder for manual handling and people handling training. Our instructors are QQI Level 6 accredited and most hold clinical backgrounds. Our senior ergonomist, the Specialist Healthcare Ergonomist to the HSE, oversees programme content and clinical quality.
Can you train at our facility?
Yes. We deliver onsite at hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, disability services, primary-care networks and care facilities nationwide. Onsite training lets staff practise with the actual hoists, beds, slings and equipment they will be using day-to-day. We can also host group sessions at our Galway training centre.
How long does patient handling training take?
A standard People Handling Refresher takes approximately 3 hours. Initial/full courses for new starters take up to 6 hours. We offer flexible scheduling including same-week availability for urgent rosters.
How quickly can you respond to a quote request?
Quotes are typically back within 4 working hours from our Galway or Dublin office, with available dates included. For urgent or framework-eligible engagements, call us directly on 091 485 580 or 01 211 8680.
Get a patient handling quote
Tell us how many staff need training and we'll come back to you with a quotation, available dates and trainer recommendations.
- Quotation + available dates within 4 working hours
- Onsite delivery anywhere in Ireland
- HSE Framework eligible — drawdown for healthcare bodies