THERAPISTS at Musgrove Park Hospital and Somerset NHS Partnership are calling on members of the public to help save money by returning borrowed equipment they no longer need.
Almost 100,000 items including wheeled commodes, crutches, perching stools and walking frames were issued in Somerset last year.
An equipment amnesty will run from Monday to Friday (April 23 to 27) for people to return equipment no longer in use.
Emma Lawson, an occupational therapist at Musgrove, said: “We’re making a plea to anyone who has any equipment that they no longer need to please return it to us.
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“We know there is probably a lot of unused equipment out there that we can use to help continue to support those patients who are in need of it now.
“We’re dedicated to doing the best we can for our patients and that includes looking at ways we can reduce waste.
“Items we are accepting include smaller aids such as walking sticks, frames and commodes and larger moving and handling items such as patient turners and hoists.”
Equipment can be returned to the The Seahorse Centre in Stevenson Road, Minehead, between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Other drop-off points include the physiotherapy department in the Queens Building at Musgrove Park Hospital.