Patient handling equipment, such as a hospital bed (1), is provided with a propulsion system (4) and a status indicator light system incorporated in the propulsion system and operable to generate at least two light beams (5) beyond a perimeter (P) of the bed (1). The light indicator (5), which may have different colours, shapes or intensities, can indicate the state of propulsion of the system and generates light beams which are visible all around the equipment (1) so as to be visible to a carer from any angle. The apparatus may include an ambient light sensor disposed to defect floor level lighting conditions rather than general ambient light.
