People in east Kent can return mobility equipment they no longer need at dedicated drop-off points in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate as part of National Recycle Week (16 to 22 October).
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.
The permanent drop-off sites are based at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent and Canterbury Hospital and QEQM in Margate. Since the scheme started in January 2022, more than 1,500 items, worth more than £36,250, have been returned for reusing.
Allison Cannon, Chief Nurse at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “The NHS in Kent and Medway is committed to cutting waste and reducing our carbon footprint. Reusing and recycling equipment that has been loaned to patients is one way we can save money and be more environmentally friendly.
“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.”
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.
QEQM Hospital, Margate:
Enter the hospital via St Peters Road. The container is on the right of the maternity entrance doors.
Kent and Canterbury Hospital:
Enter the hospital from the Ethelbert Road entrance. Take the first right, turn past the GP practice. The container is situated at the back of Car Park 3.
You can also return your items to one of these KCC household recycling sites:
Allington Household Waste Recycling Centre, Laverstoke Road, Allington, ME16 0LE
Dover Household Waste Recycling Centre, Honeywood Road, Whitfield, Dover, CT16 3EH
Swanley Household Waste Recycling Centre, Farningham Hill Road, Swanley, BR8 8TJ
Tunbridge Wells Household Waste Recycling Centre, North Farm Lane, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3EE
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 phone Millbrook Healthcare on 0330 124 4485 to arrange free collection.