Inflatable patient transfer mattress

A first part of an inflatable patient transfer mattress comprising:

• a lower portion comprising a lower air-permeable region configured to allow for the transfer of air from within the first part to outside the first part therethrough;
• and an upper portion comprising an upper air-permeable region configured to allow for the transfer of air from within the first part to outside the first part therethrough;
• and
• an air inlet configured to allow for a supply of air to be provided into an inner region of the first part, between the lower portion and the upper portion, therethrough, wherein the first part of the inflatable patient transfer mattress is configured to form the inflatable patient transfer mattress when a breathable cover is secured to the upper portion and disposed over the upper air-permeable region, and wherein the upper air-permeable region is configured such that, in the absence of the breathable cover disposed over the upper air-permeable region and when an air supply is provided into the inner region of the first part, the first part will deflate with a patient lying thereon.