Clinical staff at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital are urgently appealing for the return of borrowed equipment used in palliative care.
The Trust is currently missing 40 small syringe drivers which will have accompanied end of life care patients upon discharge. The equipment is used to administer drugs once oral method is not an option.
When the driver is no longer required, the plan is that it should be returned to the Trust for future use. It is hoped that the amnesty will fully replenish the Trust’s stock.
Acting Chief Executive Dr Nick Lyons said: “These syringe drivers are vitally important to the Trust in terms of the care we are able to offer to patients receiving palliative care. They enable end of life patients the freedom to choose their preferred place of care.
“We fully understand and appreciate that recently bereaved families will have much on their minds at such a difficult time, but we would urge anyone who knows the whereabouts of a syringe driver belonging to our Trust to try and return it as soon as possible.”
A shortage of syringe drivers could limit appropriate symptom management control for patients and could also lead to a delayed discharge to their preferred place of care.
Some of the syringe drivers are also due to be serviced to ensure they continue to administer the correct dosage.
The equipment can be returned to the Trust’s Medical Equipment Library via the Main Reception at the Gayton Road hospital. Anybody wishing to speak to someone about the syringe drivers should call the Medical Equipment Library on 01553 214925.
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