A sling strap 501, for a sling 701 usable with a hoist for lifting patients, the strap comprising a linear series of slots or loops 511 along the length direction of the sling strap, the length direction extending between a first end 706 for securing to a sling and a second end. Preferably the strap comprises one of an elongate tape with a series of slots； two tapes joined along one edge with gaps to form slots； two tapes, the faces together and joined at spaced portions to form loops； a tape with a plurality of D-rings attached； or a connected series of alternating tape sections and O-rings. Each of said slots or loops represents a different selectable distance between a sling to which the strap is secured and a suspension point (705).
