The beds are part of a $3.3 million project by Hunter New England Health to allow patients more independence in making themselves comfortable.

Patients are able to adjust the beds with a remote themselves rather than have to wait for a staff member. 

Acting nurse unit manager Di Targett said before the hospital received the beds staff would have to choose which patients were put in electric beds and which were put in ones that would have to be adjusted by employees.

“Our bigger theatre cases like total hips and total knees were prioritised,” she said.

“Now everyone is equal and there are enough electric beds for everyone.”

That also means patients do not need to be moved as often as they won’t be rotated to electric beds.

The 24 new beds at Armidale are part of almost 900 that have been rolled out throughout the Hunter New England health district.

NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner said the program would see every manual bed in the district replaced with an electric one.

“This $3.3 million investment is a fantastic example of the ways in which Local Health Districts are managing their budgets and making decisions in the best interests of their patients,” she said.

Throughout the district the beds can range in value from $1,500 to $27,000.