7 October 2015
Wanted: Hospital equipment
Each year over $130,000 of equipment is walked, carried or wheeled from Capital & Coast District Health Board never to be returned.
“For every 2000 pieces of equipment which leave our hospitals, only 1800 come back”, says equipment supervisor Paul
Allen.
Lost items include wheelchairs, walking frames, cushions, shower stalls, toileting equipment and much, much more.
“When this equipment doesn’t come back it means another patient is missing out, and can delay them from being able to
get back into their own homes.
“A new wheelchair costs around $500 – money we would rather spend on new equipment for our patients than replacing stock
we already have.”
If you have borrowed equipment past its return date but still need it, just give the service a ring and an extension can
be arranged, says Paul.
Capital & Coast District Health Board’s equipment amnesty means if you had anything loaned which you forgot to return, no matter
how long ago, you can bring it back this October – no questions asked.
Equipment can be returned to Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals, the Kapiti Health Service, or Compass Health GPs.
Otherwise just call (04) 918 6334 for pickup.
ends