People with mobility equipment they no longer need are being urged to return them to new, dedicated drop-off points at hospitals in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate.
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: “If you have equipment you no longer need cluttering up your home or tucked away somewhere, now is the perfect time to return it to one of the 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: “As people’s needs change, they may no longer require this equipment, so we’ve set up new drop-off points at our hospitals in Ashford, Canterbury and Margate to make it easier for people to return it. This will help us help others in need of extra support to get home from hospital.”
Jane Miller, Kent County Councils Adult Social Care and Health Principal Occupational Therapist, said: “It’s vitally important that we recycle any unused equipment that may have been loaned to people who no longer require it. Global supply chain problems can delay arrival of some new items so our recycle and reuse approach is more important now than ever. This not only means we have equipment available when we need it but also helps services save money. Help us to help others.”
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, 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 reuse.