THERAPISTS at Musgrove Park Hospital and Somerset Partnership have launched a campaign calling on members of the public to return borrowed equipment they no longer need.

The equipment amnesty started on Monday and will run through to Friday, and the team is asking people to help save money and support others by returning equipment not in use.

Almost 100,000 items including wheeled commodes, crutches, perching stools and walking frames, were issued in Somerset last year.

As a county, 6,100 walking frames were issued, costing more than £85,000 and a further £60,000 was spent on 1,650 commodes.

This cost could be greatly reduced if people returned unwanted or unused items.

Emma Lawson, occupational therapist at Musgrove, said: “We’re making a plea to anyone who has any equipment they no longer need to please return it to us.

“Items including walking sticks, frames and toileting and bathing equipment can be cleaned and reused, meaning that we can not only save money but also help the environment.

“We know there is probably a lot of unused equipment out there that we can use to help continue to support those patients who are in need of it now.

“We’re dedicated to doing the best we can for our patients and that includes looking at ways we can reduce waste.

“Items we are accepting include smaller aids such as walking sticks, frames and commodes, and larger moving and handling items such as patient turners and hoists.”

Equipment can be returned to Millbrook Healthcare Units N1 & N2, Knights Road, Chelston Business Park until Friday (April 27) between 8.30am-4.30pm.