Dude, where’s my wheelchair? Plea for return of hospital equipment

Hospitals in Wellington are calling for people to returns medical equipment such as commodes, crutches, wheelchairs that have gone wandering in the community.

It’s not unusual for hospital owned equipment to vanish: on average the hospital lends about 365 items per week and 41 are not returned, including walking frames, chairs or crutches and bathroom equipment like shower stools and raised toilet seats, Te Whatu Ora, Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley said.

That means about 14% of the equipment loaned out each year never comes back, making it difficult to make sure the right things are available for other patients recovering from surgery, illness or injury, head of in-house services, Tina Ririnui said.

Last year it spent $673,818 replacing medical equipment – money that would be better spent improving health services, Ririnui said.

READ MORE:
* Why Wellington has the worst access to CT and MRI scans in NZ
* Wellington hospitals get $4 million for upgrades to bolster Covid-19 defences
* One midwife for a time during code red staffing crisis at Hutt Hospital

“We are asking everyone to check their cupboards, rooms, sheds, and garages for any unused hospital equipment that might be hiding and hand them back to our hospitals,” Ririnui said.

“We also know that life gets busy, and sometimes people forget to return those items – which is why we don’t mind how long you’ve had them, we’ll take them back no questions asked.”

“We know that each person’s recovery is different and can take longer than expected. If you have equipment and need it longer, you can phone us and we will extend the return date.”

Anything with a hospital bar code or yellow sticker should be returned, or patients can phone the hospital for collection. People do not need to return personal items such as moons boots, strapping or linen.

How to return items

Arrange for equipment to be collected by calling 04 570 9427 for Hutt Hospital. For Kapiti, Kenepuru and Wellington Regional hospitals, call 04 918 6334 or email equipmentreturns@ccdhb.org.nz.

Or drop them off:

Wellington Regional Hospital

• In the blue bin inside the main hospital entrance on Riddiford St. The bin is on the right inside the main doors
• At the Central Equipment Pool, level 3 (ground level) of the WSB building between 7am and 4.30pm, weekdays. You can find this from the main atrium by walking through Mojo Coffee, then following the orange line to the WSB building, or driving up Hospital Rd and following the signs down to WSB building, then buzz the team or call 04 918 6334 and someone will come out and collect the equipment.

Hutt Valley Hospital

• Hutt Hospital Equipment Store, Gate 4, Pilmuir St, Lower Hutt. Follow the yellow signs to the store, between 8am and 4pm, weekdays
• Upper Hutt Physio Clinic, entrance off 10 Criterion Lane, Level 1 (above Lagans Pharmacy) Monday to Thursday, 8am – 4pm (except between 12pm-1pm), Friday 8am – 11.30am.

Kapiti Health Centre

• Main hospital reception, off Warrimoo St, Paraparaumu, between 8am and 4pm, weekdays

Kenepuru Community Hospital, Porirua

• Hand items into the security orderlies office in the main reception area between 7am and 5pm, weekdays.