Walking aids amnesty will help future patients
A campaign has been launched at hospitals across mid and south Essex during National Recycle Week (17-23 October) to help make it easier to return no longer used walking aids, such as crutches, walking sticks and walking frames.
The returned equipment is placed in giant blue bins which will then be cleaned and refurbished, so that they can be given to new patients who need them, helping improve their recovery and mobility at home.
Emma Willingham, Therapy Administrator at Broomfield Hospital, said; “We’ve been running our scheme for a few years now but have now expanded it to Basildon Hospital as well, it is also running at Southend and Braintree hospitals.
We know how easy it is for crutches to be put away in the garage or in a cupboard under stairs and forgotten about once patients no longer need them, this is your chance to have a declutter and recycle your old walking aids. Even if they are singles, we can match them up with others to make pairs before getting them cleaned and refurbished ready for other patients to use.”
And the returns will help make a real difference to patients and the Trust, meaning Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust don’t need to keep on replacing equipment.
Stella Walker, Equipment Co-ordinator at Southend Hospital, said; “We currently get back about 20% of the walking aids that we lend patients, so we hope this campaign will boost those return numbers and that the blue bins will be a big help.”