A method is described of loading a self-expanding stent (10) into a delivery sheath (12) that is part of a catheter for transluminal delivery of the stent to a stenting location in the body of a patient, with the stent being deployed at that location by removal from the stent of the constraint on its radial expansion that is provided up to that point by the sheath. The method involves radially compressing the stent； providing a loading sheath (14)； translating the stent relative to the sheath, whereby the stent is accommodated within the lumen of the loading sheath； providing a delivery sheath； advancing the loading sheath, containing the stent, into the lumen of the delivery sheath； and deploying the stent into the lumen of the delivery sheath. A corresponding apparatus is also disclosed.
