Moving and Handling in the Community

In the past, nursing personnel have used controversial techniques to mobilise individuals who required assistance. However, in the last 30–35 years, manual handling has been significantly modified, with research, law and nursing care discovering enhanced techniques and solutions (Steed et al, 1999; Tofts and Arnold, 2012; Ruszala and Alexander, 2015).

Properly handling and transferring individuals is a crucial component of providing effective care—both in residential and community settings. Effective handling requires careful consideration of a variety of factors. The desire to uphold the client’s dignity and ensure that you always interact with them in ways that are sensitive to their requirements, must be balanced against the technical concerns of doing things in the safest and most suitable way possible (Ruszala and Alexander, 2015). However, despite greater education, materials, and tools, accidents are still prevalent; it is estimated that over 80000 nurses injure their backs annually; furthermore, back injuries to NHS staff cost the health service £400 million each year (BackCare, 2011).