Call for Devon healthcare equipment return in amnesty

Collected items are refurbished, cleaned and put back onto warehouse shelves ready for reuse

Devon residents are being urged to return unneeded health equipment in a community amnesty.

People who have been loaned items such as walking frames and pressure cushions can have them collected free of charge.

The amnesty was launched by Devon County Council, NHS Devon CCG and Millbrook Healthcare Ltd and is now in its final week.

The previous amnesty in 2021 resulted in hundreds of items being put back into use in the community.

Collected items are refurbished, sterilised and then put back onto warehouse shelves ready for reuse.

Equipment that can be accepted for return includes four-wheeled walking frames, toileting equipment, hospital beds, clinical mattresses, pressure cushions and hoists.

Wheelchairs are not included in the amnesty because they are not provided by the community equipment service Millbrook delivers.

Devon County Council said almost 70% of the equipment collected and refurbished in this way had been reissued within a month to someone in need.

The amnesty is due to end on 5 February.