Former patients of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital are being urged to get out of the frame by returning medical equipment.
Hundreds of frames, walking sticks and crutches are loaned out by the hospital to support patients in their recovery.
The hospital maintains up-to-date records of its three-month loans but many patients do not return the equipment after the period is up.
For the week of Monday, January 23, the Trust will be holding an amnesty for medical equipment to be returned to the hospital.
Head of Clinical Workforce and Innovation Charles Bruce is urging former patients to return the equipment, which costs the Trust thousands of pounds to buy.
He said: “I would like to reassure patients that we have ample stocks of equipment to loan when they arrive at the hospital for treatment and that we have up-to-date records.
“However, I would like to appeal to those people who no longer need items such as walking frames, crutches and oxygen cylinders to return these to the hospital in order for them to be loaned to others after cleaning and passing infection control.
“Staff at the hospital are on a mission to become an outstanding Trust in all areas of patient care we provide.”
The hospital loans equipment including different sizes and types of walking frames and crutches along with toilet seats.
When returned, the items are either refurbished ready for the next patient or condemned if not in a suitable condition.
Some patients have also been loaned oxygen cylinders by the hospital on their discharge, which must also be returned as these are not owned by the Trust.
All QEH equipment is marked with a sticker which bears the hospital’s name and we are asking for just these items to be returned.
During the week, former patients are asked to return the equipment to the hospital’s Rehab entrance. Cylinders can also be dropped off at doctors surgeries or call Liam Cawston on 01553 613439 to arrange pick up.
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