Staff are appealing to patients and the public to return their wheelchair cushions following a bid to go greener.
Our wheelchair service is asking patients who have been loaned wheelchairs, to remember to also return the cushions often given alongside them, once they are no longer needed.
The team are looking at ways to recycle and reuse more of their equipment, exploring ways to clean and reuse the cushions so that they can have a longer lifespan.
Trust occupational therapist Samuel Elliott said: “We know that returning a cushion is not necessarily the first thing on any one’s mind once they’ve returned their wheelchair. It’s quite common this element doesn’t get returned at the same time.
“However, by returning the cushions we can look at a more eco-friendly way of utilising our equipment – decontaminating and reusing our equipment will not only be more green – but save money that we can reinvest into patient care elsewhere.
“We already do this our hospital mattresses. So we’re hoping to do the same with more of our wheelchair equipment.”
Samuel added: “If you think you still have your wheelchair cushion lying around or perhaps had forgotten that it is still in your home, you can still return it.”
“Please think about bringing the cushion back or having them collected by one of our team so we can reuse them.”
How to return your wheelchair cushions
Wheelchair cushions can be returned in person to one of two venues:
- Newtown Community Resource Centre, Durham Road, Stockton, TS19 0DE
- University Hospital of Hartlepool, Holdforth Road, TS24 9AH
You can also arrange for your unused cushions to be collected from your own home by getting in touch with our approved repair service, Rosscare, on 0191 4155 151.
