More than 300 items of mobility equipment worth £5,000 have been returned to dedicated drop-off points at hospitals in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate.
People have until the end of April to return equipment they no longer need at one of these points.
This includes equipment loaned by the NHS or Kent County Council through NRS Healthcare, such as commodes, walking frames, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, free-standing toilet frames, perching stools, chair raisers, kitchen trolleys and wheeled walkers. Crutches can also be returned.
Dr Navin Kumta, Clinical Chair at NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The drop-off points have been running since January and there’s a been a fantastic response. The vast majority of returned equipment can be cleaned and re-used for other patients.
“If you have equipment you no longer need cluttering up your home or tucked away somewhere, now is the perfect time to return to a marked container at one of the main hospitals in east Kent. Or you can return it in the usual way by phoning the number on the sticker to arrange free collection.”
Andrea Reid, Therapy Lead for William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, said: “We’re really pleased to see the amount that has been returned so far and there is still time to return any equipment you no longer need. This will help us help others in need of extra support to get home from hospital.”
Jane Miller, Kent County Council’s Adult Social Care and Health Principal Occupational Therapist, said: “The results so far have been great, but we can do more if you give us back more. Now is the time to spring clean, so please take time to give us your unwanted equipment, make room in your home so we can support others who really need it.”
People can drive up to the drop-off points which are located at:
William Harvey Hospital, Ashford: Follow the equipment drop-off signs around the back of the hospital. The container will be on your right just before the entrance to Spencer wing.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital, Margate: Enter the hospital via St Peter’s Road. The container is on the right of the maternity entrance doors.
Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury: Enter through the 1937 building entrance, drive straight ahead, turn right into disabled parking area, immediately before the triangle in front of the main entrance.
Alternatively, to arrange free collection of equipment with a barcoded sticker, please contact NRS Healthcare on 01622 235300.
People are asked not to leave wheelchairs at the drop-off points, but instead to call Millbrook Healthcare on 0330 124 4485 to arrange collection. All equipment will be assessed and thoroughly cleaned before re-use.