Published 15 October 2026
A teenager who spent almost three years in hospital has returned to his family home with the help of a ceiling track hoist donated and installed by Prism Medical UK. The installation featured in BBC One’s DIY SOS, broadcast on 13 October 2026, as reported by THIIS Magazine.
The story behind the build
Daniel was 13 when he had a life-saving operation to remove a brain tumour, which left him severely disabled. The family home in Freckleton, Lancashire was no longer suitable for his needs, so he lived in hospital for nearly three years. In summer 2025, DIY SOS, working with the community and tradespeople, renovated the house, including plans to knock through a wall to create a new bedroom and bathroom.
The equipment installed
Prism Medical UK was asked to supply a ceiling track hoist system. The system comprised a Freeway Transactive Xtra 130 ceiling hoist, a double H-system and a transition gate linking the tracks. According to the report, this is only the second double H-system installed on a DIY SOS build, following one at the Bracknell build in 2025. The company’s Major Projects Team carried out an initial site survey, and its engineers handled site preparation, installation and testing.
Why ceiling hoists matter at home
A ceiling track hoist lifts and moves a person between rooms such as bedroom and bathroom without a mobile hoist taking up floor space. An H-system allows the hoist to travel across a room in more than one direction, which gives carers greater flexibility. For families, this type of equipment can be the difference between safe care at home and a prolonged hospital stay, and it can reduce manual handling strain on carers.
Most families will not have the benefit of a television programme, so funding is a practical question. In England, adaptations are often supported through a local council Disabled Facilities Grant, and an occupational therapist assessment is usually the starting point. Our guide to home lifts explains the options for moving between floors, while the bathroom mobility guide covers safer washing and toileting. You can also browse the daily living aids section for smaller items that support care at home.
If stairs are the main barrier, a stairlift may be suitable for some users, although it is not an alternative to a hoist for people who cannot transfer safely on their own.
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Published 15 October 2026