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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Hospital crutches

46 replies

mummyrabbitpeppapig · 25/07/2017 22:50

Can't believe people don't return crutches / Zimmer frames etc to hospitals - a nurse told me people sell them on - eBay / gumtree etc. They turn up at local tips and go to landfill! Aibu to feel annoyed at this?

OP posts:

Dancinginthemidnight · 26/07/2017 07:08

I took mine back after using them for spd. It was so nice to be able to walk down the corridor without needing them anymore.

Lules · 26/07/2017 07:15

The amount of faff returning my mum's crutches caused I'm not surprised. It definitely didn't seem like they wanted them back.

AnUtterIdiot · 26/07/2017 07:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Marmalady75 · 26/07/2017 07:23

I've returned crutches a few times without issue. They sent out loads of equipment when my mum got a new hip and it was a fuss to get them to take it all back.

Dianag111 · 26/07/2017 08:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mulledwine1 · 26/07/2017 08:11

My husband was told that they didn't take them back when he tried to return them. Hospitals need to be clear on whether they take them back or not. I understand that my local hospital does take them back now.

I don't think the NHS has the £££ to be fussy about taking equipment back where there's no safety or hygiene issue.

sadeyedladyofthelowlands63 · 26/07/2017 08:21

When I was on crutches a few years ago I was asked to return them. The hospital also took back the raised loo seat thingy. The walking sticks I had to use after the crutches I was told to keep, as they had been cut for my specific height and gait.

user1495025590 · 26/07/2017 08:27

Our smallish hospital is crying out for crutches.they put new rubber tips on. They took the airboot as well for the third world

LilaBard · 26/07/2017 08:28

My dad had various crutches and walking aids from before he was in a wheelchair, and after he couldn't use them anymore we asked over and over for them to be collected or for them to tell us where to leave them and got ignored. Then a recent OT had the nerve to ask us for something he was given 15 years ago! Sorry love it's in the skip now. I don't have unlimited space in my house.

Ginmakesitallok · 26/07/2017 08:32

We have an nhs/local authority equipment service which cleans, maintains and recycles all non single use equipment - including crutches. Of course equipment should be returned!

Waffles80 · 26/07/2017 08:33

Ours won't take them back - such a waste but they don't have the facilities to wash or recondition the worn out parts.

Toddlerteaplease · 26/07/2017 08:34

I think there should be some sort of national scheme where crutches etc are returned to the hospital then sent away for reconditioning and are then re used. Would save loads of money.

StealingYourWiFi · 26/07/2017 08:36

still cannulas cost hardly anything, we put them in as we then have IV access should a patient rapidly deteriorate.

agentdaisy · 26/07/2017 08:36

When I broke my ankle in my teens the crutches were taken off me as soon as they cut the plaster off. I had to walk out with no support after having my leg in plaster for 8 weeks. Then I had to practically beg the GP to refer me to physio as I couldn't walk properly.

I can understand hospitals not wanting to take the risk that people have misused and damaged the crutches. From experience I know it sometimes cheaper to scrap equipment and buy new than it would be to test the integrity of every single item once returned.

It does seem a massive waster though.

thenightmanageress · 26/07/2017 08:41

Our trust won't take them back. In the business I'm in we see a lot of crutches, mobility aids, equip etc when someone either dies or goes in to a nursing home & it really annoys me that they can't be reused.
The hospitals/clinics say they can't be sterilised and it's cheaper to reissue than reuse. Even local charities won't take them for fear of being sued if they are damaged and hurt someone.
Such a stupid waste - both economically and environmentally.

muddlefuck · 26/07/2017 09:25

If they can't be returned to where they came from it's a real shame to dump them. They could be put to good use in countries that can't afford to be picky

Questioningeverything · 26/07/2017 09:32

After giving birth in a different hospital to where I'd been given my crutches (same trust though) I was told leave them when I go and they'd be passed on to the physio department.
They were a lifesaver with spd and sciatica. I'd have been bed bound without them

AngeloftheSouth84 · 26/07/2017 09:44

I don't know if it would be safe to reuse crutches. I've was using them for 3 months after I broke my ankle, and the amount of pounding they've been getting. They're only made of aluminium, so I really don't think it would be safe for them to be used indefinitely, unless the hospital has some way of testing them for strength.

Original poster

mummyrabbitpeppapig · 26/07/2017 11:26

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cash-strapped-nhs-losing-millions---4422519

OP posts:

photographyaddict · 26/07/2017 11:30

I ended up buying some from argos as the doctors/hospital didn't have any! Best decision ever

Palace2 · 26/07/2017 18:54

People return them to a and e and we never refuse them. They then get sent to be cleaned / any repairs that are needed - and are then ready for use again

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