821 of the fixed portions 82 is present however the bottom portion 821 extends no higher than a standard mattress placed on the mattress support 22 accordingly this bottom portion 821 does not significantly reduce the amount of patient care access available it is desirable as is the case in this embodiment that no cross member is fixed to and extends between the outer tubular portions 51 of the columns 5 of a support means 4 at a height above the lower frame member 3 although such a cross member could help to increase the rigidity of the support means 4 it would restrict the amount of patient care access available however it is understood that a cross member could be fixed between the outer tubular portions 51 up to positions halfway up the outer tubular portions 51 with some patient care access still being available as shown in fig4 b similar patient care access is provided when the upper frame member 2 is in an elevated position side portions 822 of the fixed portions 82 provide useful mounting points for e g side rails and electrical connection sockets etc not shown the headboard 8 a and footboard 8 b are both provided with a respective handle 84 to facilitate manual transport of the bedframe e g by rolling the bedframe 1 on the wheels 61 and to assist with manual removal of the panels 81 during e g cpr or other care procedures the footboard 8 b is provided with a.