HSE arranges healthcare equipment recycling collection day in West Cork – Thursday 22nd March 2012
HSE arranges healthcare equipment recycling collection day in West Cork – Thursday 22nd March 2012
The HSE South is requesting assistance from people throughout West Cork to return any healthcare equipment issued by the HSE which they no longer need or use.
A special healthcare equipment collection day has been arranged for Thursday 22nd March 2012 where people can return any healthcare equipment previously issued by the HSE which is no longer required by the individual for whom it was prescribed. This will enable the HSE to clean, recycle and reissue equipment to other patients who may have an assessed clinical need for it.
Gabrielle O’ Keeffe, General Manager with the HSE in West Cork said “The HSE issues a range of healthcare equipment to patients when prescribed by medical, therapy or nursing staff in accordance with the General Medical Services (Medical Card) Scheme. It is important that when a patient no longer requires this equipment, it is returned so it can be recycled and reissued to other patients who require it. This initiative is part of a national project in order to achieve better value for money and increased availability of equipment for patients. I am pleased West Cork has been chosen to be involved in this initiative which has the potential to deliver substantial sustainable savings on an annual basis”.
To assist you in returning any healthcare equipment you no longer required, the HSE have made arrangements for staff to be available at Clonakilty Community Hospital Stores Department and Bantry General Hospital Store Department on Thursday 22nd March 2012 to accept returns between 10.00am and 3.30pm. The following items can be returned to these sites:
wheelchairs
walking frames
rise & recliner chairs
bath lifts
commodes
orthopaedic chairs
nebulisers
Larger, heavier equipment such as hoists, electric mattresses and beds can be collected from your home, if appropriate, and by prior agreement, by contacting the Bantry General Hospital Stores Department on Tel: 027 52949 or 027 53467.
Crutches are not recycled as the integrity of crutches cannot be guaranteed after single use on health and safety grounds.
Ms. O’ Keeffe added “The HSE has a tracking system in place to ensure that health care equipment can be tracked and retrieved when no longer required by individuals. However, at times there can be a delay in individual patients and/or families returning such equipment when it is no longer required. It is important to note that healthcare equipment can be returned all year round in the Bantry General Hospital Stores Department on Monday – Friday from 9am – 1pm and 1.30pm – 4pm”.
Ends/
Further information from:
Communications Directorate, HSE South.
Tel: 021- 4928523/4 Email: communications@hse.ie
John Paul O’ Shea
