Abstract: A bed having a lifting apparatus for raising and lowering an object, such as a person, onto and off the bed, and a stabilizing leg for stabilizing the bed against transverse tipping forced induced by the operation of the lifting apparatus. The lifting apparatus is pivotally attached to the bed by a boss and has a jib for attachment to the object. The jib being able to be moved between stops for the transfer of the object onto the off the bed. Reinforcement is provided to inhibit excessive deflection of the bed so as to maintain an axis of pivot of a mast of the lifting apparatus disposed substantially vertically. Various reinforcing arrangements are proposed for beds of differing purpose and construction. A spigot carrier is provided for mounting the mast onto a boss of the bed and has bearings for acting in relation to axial and radial forces from the lifting apparatus.