1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                 August 31, 2001



Universal Hospital Services, Inc.

         Re:      Registration Statement on Form S-1
                  SEC File No. 333-65988

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Universal Hospital Services, Inc., a
Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), in connection with a Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (the "Registration Statement") relating to the sale by the
Company of up to 5,750,000 shares of common stock of the Company, par value
$0.01 per share (including 750,000 shares to be subject to the Underwriter's
over-allotment option) (the "Common Stock").

         We have examined such documents and have reviewed such questions of law
as we have considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of our opinions
set forth below. In rendering our opinions set forth below, we have assumed the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of
all signatures and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents
submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all
purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons. In addition, we have assumed
that, immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering of its
common stock, the Company will change its state of incorporation to Delaware. As
to questions of fact material to our opinions, we have relied upon certificates
of officers of the Company and of public officials. We have also assumed that
the Common Stock will be issued and sold as described in the Registration
Statement.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common
Stock to be sold by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement have been
duly authorized therefore as described in the Registration Statement, will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and the shares of Common Stock to
be sold by the selling shareholders have been duly authorized and validly issued
and are fully paid and nonassessable.

         Our opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of
Minnesota and to the Delaware General Corporation Law.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus that constitutes part of the Registration
Statement.

                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                     /s/ Dorsey & Whitney LLP

ECH