Scotland’s largest health board is encouraging people in West Dunbartonshire to return unused zimmers, crutches and walking sticks.
The move is part of a drive to cut its carbon footprint while saving much-needed cash.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is looking to cut down on nearly-new walking aids being left unused in peoples’ homes or discarded instead of being reused or recycled.
In the financial year 2018/19, the Board issued around £220,000 worth of walking aids including approximately:
· 11,000 crutches at a cost of £6.67 per pair.
· 9,000 zimmers costing of £13.75 each.
· 6,000 walking sticks at a cost of £2.60 each.
READ MORE: NHS worker Laura McBride receives award
Allan Dodds, Allied Health Professional Orthopaedics team lead, NHSGGC, said: “We’re very aware that perfectly good equipment which could help other people is cluttering up peoples’ homes.
“We’re appealing for people in West Dunbartonshire to return their unused walking aids to their nearest hospital.
“We have teamed up with Haven Recycle, a local company which cleans and tests the almost new aids for us to ensure they are ready for someone else to use.
“This not only saves the NHS and taxpayers’ money which can be reinvested into patient care, it also supports our commitment to be an environmentally friendly organisation and encourage others to reduce their carbon footprint.
“Too often walking aids are being used once and then discarded at a time when people are becoming increasingly more informed on the impact of waste on the environment.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here