February 24, 2023 | Terry Smith

How Much Do Patient Stretchers Cost To Buy?

How much do patient trolleys actually cost? Anyone researching patient stretcher trolleys will likely have this question at the front of their minds; it’s a question we are asked frequently. Price matters, and at Felgains we want to educate everyone in the market about how much patient trolleys cost, regardless of whether you choose to buy from us or from elsewhere.

So, in this short article, I’ll outline the average prices for patient trolleys, and give you some ballpark figures for various types of trolleys, and I’ll also explain some of the factors that can have an effect on the price you pay.

Jump straight to:

How much does a patient trolley cost?

How much a patient trolley costs can vary wildly depending on how much customisation you require and a number of factors which we will cover below, but for a ballpark figure, you can expect to pay between £3,500 to £15,000 for a patient trolley. I appreciate this is very vague, so I’ll go ahead and break this down in the following sections.

How does the type of trolley affect the cost?

The main thing that affects the cost of a patient trolley is the type of the trolley, and what it is designed to achieve.

The lowest-cost patient trolleys are typically trolleys that are designed for patient transport only, and as a result, they would usually have a basic set of features and no specialist functions. These types of patient trolleys typically cost between £3,500 to £5,000.

At the other end of the scale, highly specialised trolleys that are designed to suit specific procedures or tasks, such as endoscopy trolleys, eye surgery trolleys, and concealment trolleys, can cost between £8,000-£15,000. These trolleys are customised to solve a particular need, and as a result, have a number of specialist components and functions, all of which increase the price.

How does technology affect the cost?

Complex features and specialist add-ons such as weigh scales, powered drive systems, and compatibility with imaging devices will all add to the overall cost of a patient trolley.

Powered drive systems, for example, will typically add at least a £3,000-£5,000 additional cost to a trolley, depending on the system fitted. Powered drive systems can range from a basic one-directional drive, controlled via a joystick or touchpad, up to higher-end multi-directional systems that are pressure-sensitive and built into the trolley’s handle.

Similarly, patient trolleys that have built-in weigh scales will again demand a higher price, due to the additional components and technology needed to allow the scales to perform accurately.

Does anything else affect the cost?

As with most capital equipment purchases, freight costs can have a big impact on the final cost you pay for a patient trolley. Overseas freight for large and heavy items such as a patient trolleys can often cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, and subsequently, many NHS buyers prefer to source equipment from UK-based suppliers and manufacturers, to cut down on freight costs and delivery times.

On the positive side, if the size of your hospital means that you require a greater number of trolleys, then where quantity discounts are in place the resulting price you pay per trolley will likely decrease.

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I trust this article has given you a better idea of the average prices you will pay for a patient trolley, and an understanding of what affects the price. If you would like to have a further conversation, feel free to call us on 01473 741144 or contact us using the form below.

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