Oxford Hoist: A Rich History
Summary. Oxford Hoist, with roots dating to the 1950s, has become a global healthcare brand. Originating from Headington Hill Hall, it was commercialised in 1955. The brand grew and transitioned through acquisitions by Parker Bath, Sunrise Medical and Oxford Healthcare before finding its home with Prism Healthcare Group.
Behind the Oxford Hoist name, there is a rich history dating back all the way to the mid 1950’s. With the introduction of the first Oxford Hoist into both domestic, private, and public care settings, Oxford truly helped revolutionise care for those with reduced or limited mobility. What was once a relatively unknown name that commercialised a single hoist, has now become a global brand in the healthcare industry, with an extensive range of product solutions to meet and exceed the needs of today’s demanding care environment.
Early Origins
After installing the first wall-mounted lift at Headington Hall Military Hospital in 1954, the first ‘Oxford’ mobile patient hoist was commercialised and launched onto the general market in 1955. Selling directly through F.J Payne Engineering, a company founded in 1917, the brand name ‘Oxford’ was chosen as a nod to the revolutionary medical research and development taking place within the region at that time. The design incorporated six castor wheels for stability and to help navigate over uneven floors.
Making A Name
In the early 1960’s, two companies based on either side of the Atlantic were beginning to make a name for themselves in the healthcare industry. Oxford Healthcare, a furniture manufacturer, was founded by three brothers, Charles, Paul, and Frederick Oxford Healthcare in 1889. Based in Wisconsin in the USA, the business was quickly expanding into the long-term care sector.
Meanwhile, in Oxfordshire, England, engineer John Payne was building his own success story. Having manufactured and commercialised the first mobile patient hoist, John worked alongside Dr Richie Russell who was a doctor at Headington Hill Hospital. Dr Russell had worked on the existing bed hoist system which relied on counterbalanced weights to help nurses complete the lifting and transferring of injured World War 2 veterans. Some further insight is provided here: Headington Hill Hall.
Growing The Brand
After the first mobile patient lift was launched in 1955, the Oxford brand began to create and bring more products to market. In the years that followed, these products were pivotal in establishing Oxford as a leader in the manufacture and supply of patient lifting products.
Following a brief collaboration, Oxford Hoist was sold to Parker Bath in 1989. This was before the brand was subsequently acquired by Sunrise Medical in 1996. Sunrise continued to increase the brand’s product offering, launching many new and innovative patient lift and sling products, was including the Mini, Midi, Major, Maxi and Standaid hoists.
From Sunrise to Oxford Healthcare
In 2007, a global shake up within Sunrise Medical resulted in the launch of a newly launched company, Oxford Healthcare. Oxford Healthcare would become responsible for supplying patient handling solutions worldwide. As well as, housing a number of leading brands including Hoyer, UltraCare, P.R.O. Matt, BioClinic, Dolphin, and now Oxford. Further acquisitions took place over the next decade, including Triline Medical, RecoverCare in 2014 and Dynamic Medical Systems in 2015 to further expand and enhance its service offering. With operations in the United States, the UK, Canada and the Netherlands, the Oxford Healthcare business focused primarily on the long-term care sector.
From Strength to Strength
In November 2024, the Oxford brand and Oxford Healthcare’s UK business became part of Prism Healthcare Group, a leading integrated solutions provider with a product portfolio including equipment for safe patient handling, bathing, accessibility, speciality seating and pressure area care. High in quality, durability and versatility, Oxford products remain some of the most popular and dependable solutions available today, responsible for a host of innovative and leading patient lifting and handling equipment. This includes, familiar names such as the Oxford Midi, Major, Journey, Up, as well as one of the most comprehensive patient sling offerings available.
If you would like to find out more about Oxford products and the history of Oxford Hoist, then head to our website today. Alternatively, you can call +44 (0)344 811 1158 to speak to a member of our helpful and friendly team.
If you have found this blog helpful, then you may wish to read our previous blog on The Importance Of Moving And Handling Training.