Discontinued products
We support each bed for at least ten years after the last one is made, for as long as the parts it needs can be obtained.
| Product | Made | Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VR-1 | 1974 to 1983 | Not supported | Mechanical intensive-care bed with hydraulic height adjustment. |
| VR-2 | 1981 to 1993 | Not supported | First electrically adjusted VR bed. |
| VR-3 | 1991 to 2006 | Service ended 31 March 2024 | First VR bed with an electronic controller. See CI-UK-2024-01. |
| VR-5 (first generation) | 2004 to 2015 | Supported until 31 December 2026 | Serial numbers beginning 5A. Exchange controllers are no longer available; repairs to the controller are not possible. Fewer than 300 remain in service in the UK and Ireland. |
| VR-F0 mattress | 2006 to 2015 | Not supported | Replaced by the VR-F1. |
When support ends
We write to every hospital on our records with the product at least twelve months before support ends. After that date we no longer carry out planned maintenance or repairs on the product, and parts are supplied only while stocks last.
A bed past the end of support is not unsafe because of that alone. Whether to keep it in use is a decision for the hospital, based on its condition and the availability of parts. We recommend replacing a bed whose controller or lifting columns can no longer be repaired.
Take-back and recycling
When we deliver a new bed, we take back the bed it replaces at no charge and recycle it. Beds can also be collected on their own for a fixed charge per bed. See environment.