Community equipment amnesty

27 September 2016

LCH’s Community Equipment Service is holding a 'Community Equipment Amnesty' and inviting members of the public to return any NHS loaned community equipment that they no longer need, so it can be cleaned, recycled and reused.

Patients and staff not returning items of community equipment to the service costs an incredible £500,000 every single year, which is money that could be re-invested into supporting other patients.

Therefore, can all staff who prescribe community equipment consider the following points before ordering: 

• Does your patient really require equipment?
• Does your patient have any existing equipment at home that they no longer use or require, which needs to be returned to the service?
• How can you support your patient to return any equipment they no longer use?

Common examples of NHS equipment that often get forgotten or left unreturned include: wheelchairs, walking frames or sticks, supportive seating, and specialist matresses or cushions.

If you do identify any community equipment for returning, please can you arrange for it to be returned to one of the LCH Community Equipment Stores at either Graylaw or Lifehouse Centre as soon as possible. Opening hours are Mon to Fri, 8am – 5pm.

Alternatively, a free collection can be arranged for patients at a suitable time by calling: 0151 295 9816.