Care & Independence

What Care & Independence does

Care & Independence Ltd is a UK-based manufacturer of patient moving and handling sling equipment, headquartered in Bicester with a second manufacturing site in Ince, Wigan. Founded in 1996 as Southern Care Systems and consolidated under the Care & Independence brand in 2016, the company operates two product ranges: the premium, assessment-led GLOVE SLING portfolio and the standardised, non-assessed COMFORT VALUE range. Technical differentiation rests on proprietary fabric technologies (AIRFLOW, 3D-Spacer, Parasilk, Hyperlast), patented mechanical designs including the diamond-shaped aperture and binding-free leg sections, and an anthropometric sizing method validated through independent Pressure Mapping research. The company produces 2,000+ bespoke 'Specials' per year and holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, ISO 13485, CE Mark, BHTA Gold Standard, and RoSPA Level 4 training accreditations.

Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of GLOVE SLING and COMFORT VALUE products, supplemented by free assessment services (in-situ or remote), bespoke modifications, RoSPA-CPD-accredited training, and Sling Doctor support services (LOLER examinations, label replacement, out-of-warranty repairs). GTM is field-sales-led: nine regional Product Specialists cover the UK providing free assessments, while Business Development Managers handle stockist relationships for the COMFORT VALUE range, supported by a dedicated Key Account Manager for commissioners and loan store operators. Customer concentration centres on the NHS (preferred supplier), Local Authority Social Services, Care Homes, Community Equipment Stores, and Occupational Therapists. In July 2024, Care & Independence was acquired by GBUK Group (an A&M Capital Europe portfolio company), and in 2025 the company divested its bathing and Burnett ReMould postural support lines to focus exclusively on sling supply.

Name

Care & Independence

Legal name

Care & Independence Ltd

Website

https://careandindependence.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Care & Independence designs, manufactures, and supplies patient moving and handling sling equipment — premium assessment-led GLOVE SLING and standardised COMFORT VALUE ranges — serving the NHS, Local Authority Social Services, Care Homes, Community Equipment Stores, and Occupational Therapists across the United Kingdom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient Moving and Handling Equipment Manufacturing

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Patient Lifts, Transfer & Safe Handling Equipment (Hoists, Slings, Transfer Boards) (HLAHAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hospital Bed, Lift & Transfer Equipment (Beds, Hoyer Lifts, Slings) (HSABAKAF)

Keywords

• Patient handling slings
• Moving and handling equipment
• Medical device manufacturing
• Disability transfer solutions
• Community equipment supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Bicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Medical Device Hardware Sales: Sale of patient moving and handling sling equipment including GLOVE SLING premium assessment-led range and COMFORT VALUE standardised range. Products include general transfer slings, toileting slings, in-chair/in-situ slings, bathing slings, stand aids, and accessories.
2. Assessment Services: Free assessments offered nationwide for GLOVE SLING products conducted in-situ or remotely. Assessment-led approach ensures personalised solution for individual needs.
3. Specials and Modifications: Bespoke and modified products created to individual specifications. Over 2000 specials created annually including bespoke measurements, additional accessories, and fabric colour changes.
4. Training Services: Free training offered on all Care & Independence products to healthcare professionals. Training delivered by Level 4 RoSPA-qualified trainers, counts towards Continuous Professional Development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Care & Independence designs and manufactures patient moving and handling sling equipment under two brands: the premium assessment-led GLOVE SLING® range and the standardised COMFORT VALUE® range. Products include general transfer, toileting, in-chair/in-situ, bathing, stand-aid slings and accessories, plus bespoke "Specials" modifications, free nationwide assessments, RoSPA-qualified training, and pressure-mapping-backed R&D.

Product overview

Care & Independence offers two main product ranges for safe patient moving and handling: GLOVE SLING® and COMFORT VALUE®. GLOVE SLING® is a premium assessment-led range featuring high-performance slings with six sub-families (Diamond, Deluxe, In-Chair, Toileting, Specialist, and Accessories), known for patented innovations like the diamond-shaped aperture and scientific sizing. COMFORT VALUE® is a standardised non-assessed range for community equipment stores offering cost-effective solutions. Both ranges share overlapping sling families (Universal, In-Chair, Toileting, Specialist) adapted to different market segments. The company also provides supporting services including free assessments, bespoke modifications creating 2,000+ special products annually, free training by RoSPA-qualified staff, and pressure mapping research for product development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GLOVE SLING®: Premium assessment-led range of high-performance slings renowned for quality and innovation, suitable for all disabilities and situations.
• COMFORT VALUE®
• BURNETT REMOULD®

Products and services

• GLOVE SLING® Premium assessment-led range of high-performance patient moving and handling slings available in multiple styles and sizes, suitable for all disabilities and situations. Features the company's unique anthropometric scientific sizing method and is sold with a lifetime manufacturing warranty and free nationwide assessment.
• GLOVE Diamond Sling Family Market-leading general transfer slings with patented diamond-shaped aperture for pressure relief on the coccyx and sacrum. Includes Deluxe, Deluxe Plus, and Deluxe Foxy variants. Targeted at healthcare professionals prescribing slings for complex patient needs.
• GLOVE Deluxe Sling Family Multi-purpose transfer slings offering a highly supportive solution suitable for 95% of user needs. Seven variants including Bathing, Bathing Plus, Extensor, Foxy, Tux and Tux Plus in up to 12 sizes with 350kg SWL.
• GLOVE In-Chair Sling Family In-situ slings for users requiring extended seating, constructed from breathable fabrics reducing overheating and tissue viability risks. Includes Airflow, Bathing, In-Chair, In-Chair LITE, In-Chair Divided Leg and Powersilk variants.
• GLOVE Toileting Sling Family Toileting slings with extra-large aperture for secure toileting and dressing assistance, featuring additional padding and integral slidesheet material for easy fitting. Includes Convenience II, Convenience Plus and Convenience Max variants.
• GLOVE Specialist Sling Family Purpose-designed slings addressing specific needs including standing supports, hoist-free solutions and turning aids. Includes Airflow Manual, Easy Turn, Euro Manual, Hug, Stand Aid and Foot variants.
• GLOVE SLING Accessories Optional accessories including detachable head support, bolster neck pillow, strap cover, extension strap and chestband that enhance user experience with GLOVE SLING products.
• COMFORT VALUE®

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved lives of over 1 million people to date
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Arjo: Global medical device company headquartered in Sweden with a dedicated Patient Handling portfolio including transfer slings, hoists and lifters. Closest direct competitor to Care & Independence in premium, clinically differentiated slings sold into hospitals, care homes and community settings.
• Etac: Nordic-headquartered developer of mobility and patient handling equipment including transfer slings, hoists and positioning aids. Direct competitor in premium European sling markets with overlapping clinical assessment-led sales models.
• Benmor Medical: UK-based specialist in patient handling equipment including ceiling hoists, mobile lifts and slings. Direct domestic competitor supplying the NHS and care homes with comparable sling and lifting solutions.
• Handicare (now part of Savaria / Direct Healthcare Group): Direct Healthcare Group (incorporating Handicare patient handling) supplies slings, hoists and transfer solutions to hospitals and care homes across Europe. Direct product and customer overlap with Care & Independence's GLOVE SLING range in the UK and European healthcare market.
• Invacare: Global manufacturer of durable medical equipment including patient transfer slings, lifts, beds and mobility products. Competes head-to-head with Care & Independence in sling design and NHS/European healthcare distribution.
• Joerns Healthcare: US-based provider of patient handling and wound care solutions including slings and lift equipment. Comparable to Care & Independence in sling product range and clinical/care-home customer base, though primarily North American in focus.
• Prism Medical (Savaria): Provider of patient lifting and transfer solutions including ceiling lifts, mobile lifts and slings. Acquired by Savaria Corporation, giving it direct overlap with Care & Independence's sling and patient handling product categories in UK and North American markets.

Broad incumbents

• Hillrom (Baxter): Baxter's Hillrom business offers a broad portfolio of hospital and patient handling solutions including lifts and transfer devices. Competes with Care & Independence in NHS acute and community frameworks as a much larger incumbent with bundled offerings.
• Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare: Large multi-category DME manufacturer and distributor with a UK presence offering slings, hoists, beds and mobility products. Competes with Care & Independence primarily through catalogue and community-equipment-store channels (similar to COMFORT VALUE).

Regional players

• NRS Healthcare: UK community equipment provider and loan store operator. Listed as a Care & Independence customer (loan store partnership) but also operates as a competitor-adjacent provider of daily living aids and mobility equipment into local authority contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@careandindependence
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/care-independence-ltd
• Xx.com/careandindep

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Care & Independence