To wonder why I didn't have to give my name when returning NHS crutches

[Marmite17]

I've fully recovered from a fairly minor foot injury; broken toe and joint so OK 6 weeks later as you would expect. I returned the crutches and asked if I should give my name. The lady said no. This then got me wondering how many crutches etc are returned. Googled.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cash-strapped-nhs-losing-millions---4422519
Several other sites came up.
Would it make sense to "sign out" equipment such as crutches or wheelchairs to make it clear that it is a loan?

I could really have used some crutches when I badly sprained my ankle a couple of years ago, but I wasn't offered any.

DH had to virtually carry me to the hospital door, then dumped me there while he brought the car round to pick me up.

When I got home, it was so painful and swollen that I couldn't walk for the first 24 hours, so I had to crawl around the floor in order to move!

When I broke my foot I was given a blue plastic boot thingy and a very long thick sock to wear inside it to prevent chafing. The boot was accepted back at my final appointment. I actually put the worn sock in the clinic bin. It was snatched out with cries of, "We'll use that again!". I hope they washed it first.
Northampton General Hospital is obviously more frugal than most.

I've got crutches from an arthroscopy I had a year ago. They're under the stairs.

We get a lot of NHS equipment and stuff from the LA. They never ask for names when returning it.

They have a serial number. Most hospitals take them but not all. We did a big campaign last year.

The issue is that a pair of crutches cost just under £10 and are given for the patient to use until no longer needed. We can't keep calling a patient to pressure them into giving them up and the cost isn't enough to justify employing someone to chase up or collect.

Similarly, collecting Zimmer frames from elderly is tricky. Usually they're needed until death. We can't keep calling to ask if patient is still alive or even check our records and call families of deceased demanding the return. Can you imagine?

There was talk of deposits but what if someone doesn't have the money, do we refuse them crutches? Plus we'd need to administer the deposits which isn't worth it.

We just have to rely on good will and #bringitback campaigns.

When I sprained my ankle and then got a septic toe on the other foot, they gave me a crutch. I asked if I needed to bring it back and she said no. It's still under the stairs, I'll use it if I need it again (weak ankles)

The safety of used crutches cannot be guaranteed so they have to be chucked or sent abroad by charities.

We discovered nurses were telling patients this and it's bollocks. They're returned the the county wide supplier who cleans and safety checks them, repairing when necessary.

When my DM was discharged from hospital I had to go back to the ward and collect a number of frames, a commode and other aids for her. I was amazed that I collected them and then walked through the whole hospital back to my car and no-one even questioned or challenged me (or offered to help :-) )

She's got a garage full of various other stuff collected over many years that they don't want back. Its so wasteful.

I was given crutches for my severe SPD when I was pregnant with DC1. I asked what I should do with them when I was finished with them and the physio looked at me like I was insane. "I suppose you could bring them back here" she said doubtfully. I kept them. They cam ein handy with DC2 several years later!

When my partner sprained his foot recently I asked about returning the crutches and the nurse just said they were his to keep.

I volunteered at a homeless shelter over Christmas and we had a random pair of crutches in the pile of donated clothes etc for sorting. They actually ended up being given to one of the guests who had hurt his foot and there were a few more who could have done with them too, so maybe that could be a good option?

Just like watching my SIL hand out bagfuls of paracetamols to her family because she could just get more on prescription, this massive waste of NHS resources also enrages me.

When I needed some I bought them new from eBay for just over a tenner. Better coming from my pocket that from the NHS.

They should definitely take them back!

I once wrote to a former Health Secretary about this very issue - it's a ridiculous waste of resource

When my DM died I returned a number of pieces of equipment to her local NHS. They had a list on their computer of exactly what she had been lent (no crutches though). The only pain was that their opening hours for their loan store didn't coincide with when we could get their and we were 85 miles away. Fortunately we managed to get someone else to return them.

DM had also purchased some mobility aids herself (including a wheelchair) which we donated to the Red Cross and were gratefully received.

Clearly the system varies from area to area - so much for the National Health Service.I know in my area they have put out calls on local radio from time to time for crutches to be returned to the hospitals.

Aw what, they get binned? Wish I’d known that in the past. Those things come in handy when you sprain your ankle. Wish I’d kept mine now!

Why would you need to sterile crutches?
Is that a serious question? Would you want dirty crutches from someone with various infections from a dirty house?

In France you have to buy crutches from pharmacy- about 40euro... Wonder how many would be chucked if pole had bought them??

I took mine back when I tore a calf muscle. I had no idea they might not be used again just thought I had borrowed them and should return them to where I got them from.

Not sure if it varies by hospital, it sounds like it must do, but we certainly used to take them back at the hospital i used to work in. We would check their condition, clean them and put back into use. I know as I was the one who sorted and cleaned them. Any that were unsafe were disposed of.

My trust takes back crutches and walking aids
They are checked, cleaned and reissued
We don't keep checks on who has them as it costs too much

I took DD's crutches back, she'd only needed them for a week or two - the hospital (minor injuries clinic) were happy to take them. They were barcoded, but I'm not sure if they were formally issued or returned (I mean I don't know if the barcode was scanned at either end!).