University of Bath press release

BathMat trial launches across NHS Trusts to ease staff workload and boost patient care

Clinical trial of inflatable patient repositioning pillow device begins

Clinical trials of an innovative inflatable pillow designed to make moving intensive care unit (ICU) patients safer, faster, and less labour-intensive for NHS staff have begun in Bath.

Co-developed by researchers at the University of Bath and clinicians at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH), and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Inflatable Prone Repositioning Device – known as the ‘BathMat’ – is a flat balloon-like pillow that can be inflated in sections, and is the first medical device of its kind.

The device was conceived to tackle a major challenge in ICUs: repositioning sedated, ventilated patients in the prone (face-down) position – often among the most critically ill – to avoid pressure injuries and improve oxygenation. Placed under a sedated patient it can gently lift their chest and hips, helping ward staff safely and quickly reposition their head and arms.

The assistance provided by the BathMat has the added benefit of reducing the number of staff needed to move a patient from five to two.

Dr Alexander Lunt, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath and the project’s Principal Investigator, said: “Moving critically ill patients is a significant challenge on intensive care wards worldwide. We are pleased to be using our engineering expertise to work toward a better solution to the issue, and to further build our close partnership with our partners at our local NHS Trust, the RUH.”

Trials in four major hospitals

Clinical trials to evaluate the BathMat’s effectiveness began at the RUH in late May. The trials will expand to include Southmead Hospital (North Bristol NHS Trust), Wythenshawe Hospital (Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust), and Derriford Hospital (University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust) in the coming weeks.

Aiming to recruit 30 patients across four NHS ICU sites, the trials are backed by a 14-month funding award from the NIHR. Several key outcomes will be measured, including reductions in staff time required for repositioning patients treated lying on their front (prone), improvements in patient healthcare outcomes such as pressure sore prevention, device safety and cost-effectiveness.

Widespread Enthusiasm from Healthcare Staff

Training sessions across the trial sites were met with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Hundreds of ICU staff have now been trained, with many describing the BathMat as a “no brainer” innovation.

Dr Jerome Condry, Chief Investigator and Research Fellow at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We’re seeing real enthusiasm from ICU teams who recognise the potential our device has to making repositioning proned patients easier and safer for everyone involved. We aim to have a big impact on both patient safety and team wellbeing."

Dr Lunt added: "We've already had other trusts reach out asking how they can access the device as they see the value it brings immediately."

Commercialisation and Next Steps

With regulatory approvals in place, the team is now turning its attention to commercialisation. Interest from investors is growing, and efforts are underway to develop a pressure-sensing version of the device that will automatically detect and adjust for pressure hotspots in real time.

Once all trial data is collected and analysed by health economics and statistics experts at the University of Bath, the team will publish the results and begin scaling up to reach more NHS stakeholders and manufacturers. The route to market is being actively developed in partnership with the University’s innovation and research commercialisation teams.

Call for collaborators

The research team welcomes expressions of interest from other NHS trusts or international partners who wish to take part in future trials or demonstrations. Conferences and showcase events are scheduled for 2026 where preliminary results and the next-generation version of the BathMat will be unveiled.

For more information and media resources, visit bathmatmedical.com.

 

ENDS

 

Images and video are available at: https://tinyurl.com/yc4pczwm

For more information or to request interviews, contact:

Will McManus, University of Bath: wem25@bath.ac.uk / +44(0)1225 385 798

Matthew Smith, RUH: matthew.smith38@nhs.net

The University of Bath

The University of Bath is one of the UK's leading universities, with a reputation for high-impact research, excellence in education, student experience and graduate prospects. 

We are ranked in the top 10 of all of the UK’s major university guides. We are also ranked among the world’s top 10% of universities, placing 150th in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Bath was rated in the world’s top 10 universities for sport in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

Research from Bath is helping to change the world for the better. Across the University’s three Faculties and School of Management, our research is making an impact in society, leading to low-carbon living, positive digital futures, and improved health and wellbeing. Find out all about our Research with Impact: https://www.bath.ac.uk/campaigns/research-with-impact/

 

About the NIHR

The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:

• Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
• Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
• Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
• Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
• Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
• Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low and middle income countries.

NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK international development funding from the UK government.

 

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