HOSPITALS are pleading with people to return their crutches and zimmer frames.

Staff at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust are appealing to patients to return crutches, walking sticks and zimmer frames, after a large drop in numbers of returns over the course of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Trust asks patients who have been given crutches, walking sticks or zimmer frames to bring them back once no longer needed. They’ll be professionally cleaned and reused. They said a 'significant number' haven’t been returned.

Fiona Wright, deputy head of Physiotherapy, said: “We need the crutches and other walking aids to be returned so we can use them for other patients.

"We’re asking people to hand them in. You’re not only helping us but it’s much better for the planet when we reuse equipment. Many of you may have stored them away and forgotten they are in the home. Please bring them back so we can re-use them. It is perfectly safe to bring them back for them to be professionally-cleaned so they can be safely reused by other patients.”

West Cumberland Hospital and the Cumberland Infirmary will have meet-and-greet volunteers at the entrance who will collect equipment that is handed in.