WendyDrive patient hoist with electric drive assistance reduces physical strain in healthcare

About United Care & Direct Healthcare Group

United Care, part of the Direct Healthcare Group (based in UK), develops innovative healthcare solutions that support caregivers during daily patient transfers. One of their best-known solutions is the Wendy patient hoist: a compact, rotating passive hoist that can be used safely and efficiently, even in small spaces.

With the introduction of the WendyDrive patient hoist with electric drive assistance, this solution has been further enhanced with a strong focus on ergonomics and safe and ergonomic working conditions in healthcare for the UK healthcare sector.

Challenge: reducing physical strain when using patient hoists

In the healthcare sector, physical strain caused by pushing and pulling is a common issue. Moving a patient hoist often requires more force than allowed under UK manual handling guidelines.

This can lead to:

• an increased risk of musculoskeletal complaints
• fatigue and reduced productivity
• decreased long-term employability of healthcare staff

Although the Wendy patient hoist is known for being user-friendly and easy to manoeuvre, there are still situations in which moving the hoist can be physically demanding. Especially during patient transfers, where full attention to the patient is essential, this creates a significant challenge.

Solution: WendyDrive with esense drive wheel and intelligent drive assistance

To reduce physical strain in healthcare, United Care/DHG partnered with esense. The result is the WendyDrive, a patient hoist with integrated electric drive assistance, suitable for use in UK care homes and hospitals.

The esense 360 drive wheel is at the core of this innovation. Thanks to an intelligent force sensor integrated into the push handle:

• the hoist detects how the user pushes or pulls
• the system automatically adjusts speed and direction
• the patient hoist moves intuitively together with the caregiver

Key Benefits of the WendyDrive

• Electric drive assistance significantly reduces physical strain
• Intuitive operation without complex buttons or extensive training
• Smooth and controlled movements, even in confined spaces
• Ergo-feedback system helps prevent overexertion through visual signals

The integrated feedback system helps caregivers stay within ergonomic guidelines and encourages conscious use of force during operation.

More about WendyDrive and United Care

Results: proven reduction in physical strain and healthier working conditions

The collaboration between Direct Healthcare Group/United Care and esense extended beyond product development alone. The esense healthy working approach was fully integrated into the project. This approach consists of:

• Analyse: measuring actual push and pull forces using the esense Ergometer
• Improve: implementing the WendyDrive to reduce physical strain
• Evaluate: verifying compliance with UK workplace safety standards

Practical results:

• significant reduction in physical strain
• increased awareness among healthcare professionals
• improved long-term employability
• greater focus on patient care instead of physical effort

Conclusion: from physical strain to healthy working in healthcare

The WendyDrive patient hoist with esense drive wheel demonstrates how smart technology can directly contribute to ergonomic working conditions in healthcare. By combining electric drive assistance with measurement and feedback systems, the solution not only makes work physically easier, but also structurally helps prevent physical strain, supporting safer patient handlin across the UK healthcare sector.

From heavy work to healthy working, that is the power of WendyDrive with esense.