Hi,
Does anyone have any experience of setting up equipment returns in their organisation? We have an equipment loan establishment (not retail model) covering three local councils, assigned by either GP postcode or patient residence, with satellite stores (locally funded) to cover gaps. Very little equipment is returned currently. The concerns are where to store dirty equipment, how to clean and check for safety. Any advice and guidance would be appreciated! Thanks
Hi natalie - yes we do. Our walking aid reuse scheme has been running since June 2024. It is run by our fab therapies team from three collection points at our main hospital site. They take them back to one of the main gyms, do a visual inspection, load stress test and, if fit for reuse, they replace any ferrules / wheels and clean them for storage. The therapy technicians do the work but there is a protocol and we have processed 4300 items. DM me if you want any more info trevor.mose@porthosp.nhs.uk 🙂
Thank you Trevor! Your offer is much appreciated. Natalie
Hi Natalie, Do email me (jacqueline.gordon3@nhs.net) I tried to set something up in Sussex last year and they had the same concerns and also they said it was covered by the contract with Millbrooks and NRS (but they reported it was cheaper for them to ditch things!). Sure you've seen this: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ahp/greener-ahp-hub/specific-areas-for-consi…
and it would be good to be in touch with Su Davies sudavies@outlook.com who is working on this at the moment and has done a lot of work with social services/charities etc. We have a meeting about it next week in the OT Susnet group https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/occupational-therapy-susnet-event-equipm…. All welcome !
hi
yes we do in our trust, and it's been very successful
drop me an email steve.smith7@nhs.net
i'm part of the ahp greener team for the region as well
we link with community equipment service, charity shops, care homes, walking aid amnesties, gp surgeries across the district and have return places in 3 hospital sites and 4 community bases
i'm also presenting on it on friday 10.20 am at the sustainability week for northern england and yorkshire for the nhs, if you can find a link / contact kavitha.sethumadhavan@nhs.net
it's on teams
drop me an email if you wan to know more about things
steve
Hi. Yes I've just completed this project for sherwood forest Hospitals that has been really successful. Drop me an e-mail deborah.kerry@nhs.net
I would love to hear more about all your projects! Please can we organise an online sharing session? jacqueline.gordon3@nhs.net let me know if that would work for anyone?
Wonderful idea! I can set up a doodle poll for a coming together?
Thank you everyone. I will get in touch next week.
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