An attachment device (50, 70) for attaching a patient sling to a spreader bar (99, 109), the device including: a first attachment site attachable to an attachment element of the sling or the spreader bar (99, 109); a second attachment site attachable to the other of the sling or the spreader bar (99, 109); characterised in that a locking element (53, 73) locks the attachment element to the first attachment site automatically upon initial connection of the attachment element to the attachment site, wherein the locking element (53, 73) is configured in a first position to allow movement of the attachment element along an axis of movement into the first attachment site, and the locking element (53, 73) in a second position prevents removal of the attachment element from the first attachment site, wherein the attachment device (50, 70) further comprises a release mechanism (58, 73) operable to allow removal of the attachment element wherein the attachment device (50, 70) is configured to allow rotation of the attachment element about the axis of movement when the attachment element is locked in place in the first attachment site, wherein operation of the release mechanism removes a resilient bias to allow the locking element to move from the first position to the second positon and/or wherein operation of the release mechanism allows the attachment element to move out of the first attachment site in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement, thereby bypassing the locking element, wherein the attachment device (50, 70) further includes a channel in communication with the first attachment site along which the attachment element is able to move in order to bypass the locking element. a first attachment site attachable to an attachment element of the sling or the spreader bar (99, 109); a second attachment site attachable to the other of the sling or the spreader bar (99, 109); characterised in that a locking element (53, 73) locks the attachment element to the first attachment site automatically upon initial connection of the attachment element to the attachment site, wherein the locking element (53, 73) is configured in a first position to allow movement of the attachment element along an axis of movement into the first attachment site, and the locking element (53, 73) in a second position prevents removal of the attachment element from the first attachment site, wherein the attachment device (50, 70) further comprises a release mechanism (58, 73) operable to allow removal of the attachment element wherein the attachment device (50, 70) is configured to allow rotation of the attachment element about the axis of movement when the attachment element is locked in place in the first attachment site, wherein operation of the release mechanism removes a resilient bias to allow the locking element to move from the first position to the second positon and/or wherein operation of the release mechanism allows the attachment element to move out of the first attachment site in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement, thereby bypassing the locking element, wherein the attachment device (50, 70) further includes a channel in communication with the first attachment site along which the attachment element is able to move in order to bypass the locking element.