Patients in Ealing are being urged to return walking aids they no longer need, as the local NHS trust says it’s spending £40,000 a year replacing crutches, frames and sticks that could have been reused.
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust – which runs Ealing, Central Middlesex and Northwick Park hospitals – is calling on people to check cupboards and corners at home for any walking aids which are not needed.
The Trust says the equipment can be cleaned and recycled, saving money and helping other patients in need of support.
Femi Adedeji, a former semi-pro footballer who needed crutches after a hip replacement, has backed the plea. He said: “I’m fully recovered now but will be leaving the bicycle kicks to the youngsters in future. It is important to get off your crutches as soon as you are comfortable to do so and I made a point of returning them to hospital. We just assume this sort of thing doesn’t cost money because we are given them for free.”
The Trust first raised the issue two years ago, saying shortages were even holding up some patient discharges.
Victoria Manson, lead physio at Northwick Park, said at the time: “We do have a shortage of crutches, frames and walking sticks. This means it can be a struggle to provide patients with the support they need, which in some cases can lead to discharge being held up. It costs tens of thousands of pounds a year to replace walking aids.”
She added: “We’d really appreciate it if people can have a check at home and return any aids they have. That will allow us to clean them up and re-use/recycle them for other people to use.”
Anyone with unused crutches, zimmer frames or walking sticks is being asked to drop them off at Ealing Hospital – Level 1, Orange Wing, Physiotherapy department.
