Urgent appeal made for the return of unused wheelchairs (From York Press)

Urgent appeal made for the return of unused wheelchairs

7:57am Monday 15th October 2012 in News

HOSPITAL staff in York will launch a “wheelchair amnesty” in the city next month in an attempt to cope with equipment shortages.

As part of National Occupational Therapy Week, which begins on November 5, staff from York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s physiotherapy and occupational therapy department have teamed up with York Wheelchair Centre to appeal for people to search their garages and sheds for unused wheelchairs.

Wheelchairs are often loaned to patients when they leave hospital to help them continue their recovery at home, but equipment is not always returned and the hospital said stocks of certain types are now “very low”.

“We would like people to return any wheelchairs which are no longer needed, and no questions will be asked. We’d just like them back so other patients can benefit,” said principal therapist Catherine Venable.

“When wheelchairs are returned, they are checked, cleaned, repaired where necessary and made available for re-issue.

“It’s really important that patients have the most appropriate piece of equipment to help their condition, and we would also gladly accept the donation of privately purchased wheelchairs in good working order.”

Wheelchairs can be returned to York Wheelchair Centre at Blue Beck House in Shipton Road, York, between 8am and 3.30pm, or by phoning 01904 637714.

They can also be taken back to the hospital’s physiotherapy and occupational therapy department between 8am and 4.30pm, or by phoning 01904 725390.