Gift someone in need this Christmas by handing back unwanted social and healthcare equipment
Residents who receive care and support are being reminded to ensure that they hand back any equipment loaned to them to allow others to benefit from them.
Oxfordshire County Council, alongside Oxford Health, Oxford University Hospitals have been leading the Hand it Back campaign, which is now urging residents to give someone an extra gift this Christmas by handing back their unused equipment for recycling.
Councillor Lawrie Stratford, Oxfordshire County Council’s Member for Adult Social Care, said: “We are able to recycle most of the equipment that we loan out to those who need it. It is a great opportunity for residents, who provide care or receive care and support, to have a check around their homes for any equipment. It could be a Christmas gift for somebody else who needs it.”
Worldwide manufacturing of items such as bed rails, pendent alarm equipment/ sensors (telecare) and mattresses has slowed down because of the COVID-19 epidemic, meaning new ones may be harder to come by and recycling even more crucial.
The pieces of unused equipment being sought are:
- chairs, beds, bed rails and mattresses
- wheeled commodes
- any electrical items
- walking and toilet frames
- pendent alarm equipment/sensors (Telecare)
- slings.
Anybody wanting to give back equipment can arrange a collection by calling NRS Healthcare on 01869 225420 or by sending their details to enquiries@oxfordshire.nrs-uk.net.