removal of bedpan 120 is preferably accomplished by pulling bedpan 120 to the side of hospital bed 100 in the direction of either of arrows 150 or 151 preferably pulling bedpan 120 in the direction of arrow 150 or arrow 151 also removes lid 137 so that the nurse or other assistant can visually inspect the contents of bedpan 120 and can remove bedpan 120 if it needs to be cleaned or replaced or can return bedpan 120 if it is unused alternatively bedpan 120 may be removed automatically such as by activating remote control device 113 causing bedpan 120 to be moved on tray 135 by carriage means 130 in the direction of arrow 150 or arrow 151 preferably bedpan 120 includes a disposable and or flushable liner 121 in order to facilitate quick cleaning of bedpan 120 such that bedpan 120 may preferably be cleaned and replaced on carriage means for subsequent use as will be understood by one skilled in the art gap g may alternatively be created by relative movement between head section 103 a and foot section 103 b other than the sliding of foot section 103 b as described above for example head section 103 a may.