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Original poster

How can I get rid of the Zimmer frame, toilet surround and other paraphernalia

80 replies

MrsSchadenfreude · 29/10/2022 22:00

That the hospital sent home with my DM when she was briefly discharged? The hospital don’t want to know - they said it will have come from an agency, and there will be a label on it. The only label is a bar code - no name of any agency. It seems crazy that we have all of this stuff and no-one seems to care.

OP posts:
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Tiani4 · 15/11/2022 08:48

It looks like you have help for your specific area for where to return to given hospital it came from

In our area it's joint stores (nhs/ social care) that provide these (be they from hospital it community) , the telephone number is attached to yellow label and bar code, and you can also ring social care OTs to ask for joint stores number (if it has rubbed off) - to raise a collection request. It's takes about 3 -5 working days to get it collected

LittleBearPad · 14/11/2022 16:29

sashh · 14/11/2022 07:30

Maybe you could set up a recycling business.

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No thanks - I do enough at home. But throwaway culture is environmentally disastrous and economically wasteful.

sashh · 14/11/2022 07:30

LittleBearPad · 14/11/2022 07:01

No wonder the planet is buggered.

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Maybe you could set up a recycling business.

RambamThankyouMam · 14/11/2022 07:03

If the council don't respond, take it to a waste disposal centre.

LittleBearPad · 14/11/2022 07:01

sashh · 14/11/2022 06:53

A set of crutches or a Zimmer frame costs the NHS about £6 because they buy in bulk.

If they were to take returns they would need

  1. someone to take the 'drop off'

  2. someone to clean the item + cleaning materials

  3. someone to test the item is still safe to use

  4. somewhere to store it

It's actually cheaper to just hand out new ones.

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No wonder the planet is buggered.

sashh · 14/11/2022 06:53

Pointblank2 · 29/10/2022 22:16

We had this after I had been in an accident and I had been supplied with mobility aids. The NHS made it very difficult to return the equipment, very limited hours at a specific place to do so and I still couldn’t drive. Not open at any times my DH could take them back, he couldn’t take a day off as he had used holidays caring for me and chauffeuring to appointments. Not allowed to drop off at the hospital which would have been easy due to appointments. In the end a friend made a special journey but it was weeks after I had finished with them. All I could think of was that this was being replicated all over and that some people just wouldn’t return stuff as it was so difficult and that the NHS would then have to purchase more at cost to the taxpayer.

A set of crutches or a Zimmer frame costs the NHS about £6 because they buy in bulk.

If they were to take returns they would need

  1. someone to take the 'drop off'

  2. someone to clean the item + cleaning materials

  3. someone to test the item is still safe to use

  4. somewhere to store it

It's actually cheaper to just hand out new ones.

Original poster
MrsSchadenfreude · 14/11/2022 06:02

@zimmerreturn no problem and thank you for your help!

OP posts:
zimmerreturn · 13/11/2022 21:01

Hi @MrsSchadenfreude I was thinking I need to retract my offer to raise collection via NRS. I'd need your Mums details and I could be anyone!

So - call them on the number that's on the equipment. If they won't raise collection ask for the prescriber details so you can call them/their team directly. Good luck Smile

MrsClatterbuck · 12/11/2022 23:30

MrsSchadenfreude · 29/10/2022 22:18

I spoke to the ward, the discharge team, the woman who organised the carers. The ward and discharge team had no idea and the woman who organised the carers was the one who said to look for a label. I can’t drop the stuff off - I’m not even in the same country. I’ve put it in the garage for now.

I’ll try calling the local surgery and see if they can help. Quite tempted just to dump it on their doorstep and run, actually.

When my mum passed we gave her equipment to a charity shop. It was sent to the Ukraine.

Toddlerteaplease · 12/11/2022 13:59

Try the Red Cross.

zimmerreturn · 12/11/2022 13:45

They supplied the OPs Mum so they are responsible for that.

Peekachoochoo · 12/11/2022 13:14

zimmerreturn · 12/11/2022 07:22

Oh nobody should be taking it anywhere btw. It's down to NRS to collect.

NRS doesn't supply equipment everywhere.

zimmerreturn · 12/11/2022 07:22

Oh nobody should be taking it anywhere btw. It's down to NRS to collect.

zimmerreturn · 12/11/2022 07:22

Sure. Please try one more thing first. Call NRS and ask for prescriber details just with her name and address. Try and call prescriber. If no luck message me and I'll do it next week Smile

Original poster
MrsSchadenfreude · 11/11/2022 22:54

@zimmerreturn thank you! Unfortunately I don’t live in U.K. and am flying home tomorrow, but will be back in a couple of weeks. Would it be OK if I messaged you then with the PUK code please? Two pieces of the equipment do have NRS bar codes, but one just has a label on it with my Mum’s name. I can probably get a local friend to drop it off, if I can find out where it’s supposed to go!

OP posts:
zimmerreturn · 11/11/2022 21:07

Have name changed.

I work in the locality and we give out leaflets with the NRS return information on.

I can't believe they're recommending returning to RBH. There isn't a dirty store anymore. We used to collect equipment in massive bags and bring it back in our cars but those days are gone.

There will be a PUK code on the barcode label. If you call NRS they can tell you the prescriber (and phone number). You can then call the prescriber and they can raise a collection.

I can do this online if someone asks me (nicely Smile)

vipersnest1 · 11/11/2022 20:58

@MrsSchadenfreude, unfortunately NRS are known for not collecting equipment for aeons. It's a long shot, but can you find out the original order number? If you don't know it, they should be able to tell you, by using your DM's details. If you can get it, I would think they would have to collect it.

yepiamone · 11/11/2022 20:46

Medequip cover a lot of areas, whereabouts are you?

Original poster
MrsSchadenfreude · 11/11/2022 20:42

NRS got back to me and said it needs to go back to the hospital as it came with my Mum from the hospital. The hospital are adamant that they won’t take it back and it belongs to NRS. I was at the house today and the Zimmer frame and toilet surround have NRS labels on them. So I’m going round in circles now.

OP posts:
mdh2020 · 10/11/2022 07:43

We have advertised stuff on local FB group, Free Cycle and local Whats Ap.People were very grateful for it. Similarly it’s how we got a walker and a wheelchair for my mother. It seems criminal that the NHS don’t collect stuff and reuse.

Peekachoochoo · 10/11/2022 07:34

@Munchyseeds2

That has already been suggested several times!

Munchyseeds2 · 09/11/2022 19:10

Round here (not too far from Reading) it would be NRS you need
Call them with an address, they are really helpful

passport123 · 09/11/2022 16:35

put your postcode in here and it'll tell you if anyone collects in your area, or the nearest hospital to drop them at

www.recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item/walking-aids

saraclara · 06/11/2022 00:11

It seems as though you're sorted, but yes, occupational therapy will have ordered it. My late husband's stuff was ordered by them but delivered by Millbrook. When sadly no longer needed, the district nurse arranged for.Millbrook to come to collect it.

Shouldawouldacoulda30 · 05/11/2022 23:57

Am sure you could google it . Our local hospice charity takes all of these items . Local care home is a good shout.