Portable sling testing apparatus (10) for testing patient slings (200) includes a plurality of dummy units (30, 34) attachable to a frame and actuator unit (14) of the apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) includes an extendable pressurisation actuator (120) and a spreader plate (90) which includes a plurality of attachment points (92-95) for attaching the straps and hooks of a sling (200). The apparatus (10) is intended to load a sling (200) to operating loads for checking the sling (200). A control unit (100) controls the amount of load applied to the sling (200) and a time duration of the test. The apparatus (10) can be dismounted into a plurality of component parts for ease of transportation.
