There is described a patient lift apparatus (1) comprising a supporting frame (10), a boom portion (18) connected to the supporting frame (10) via a pivot joint (PJ1) to allow the boom portion (18) to pivot with respect to the supporting frame (10) about a pivot axis (PA1), and a boom actuator (15) to mechanically assist pivotal movement of the boom portion (18) with respect to the supporting frame (10). The boom portion (18) is configured as a telescopic arm (180) comprising an outer member (181) and an inner member (182) that is telescopically received inside the outer member (181) to allow displacement of the inner member (182) with respect to the outer member (181) and adjustment of an effective length of the telescopic arm (180). The patient lift apparatus (1) further comprises a centering system (300, 310-312, 321, 322) configured to center the inner member (182) with respect to the outer member (181) and reduce or suppress a clearance between the inner member (182) and outer member (181).
