Provide lift for pal leaving hospital (5)

I believe the answer is:

hoist

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'hospital' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hoist that I've seen before include "Lift with rope and pulley" , "Raise aloft" , "set of flags" , "Lift using pulley and ropes" , "I shot (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.

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