In a device for lifting patients which has an extension arm (6) articulated to a stationary column so as to be pivotable about a horizontal swivelling axis (7), a receptacle (20) for insertion of a head of a retaining bracket is provided in the vicinity of its front end. The retaining brackets are thereby held on the extension arm (6) without any pendulum movements. Necessarily, the support piece (9) is always aligned vertically. <IMAGE>
