Returning medical equipment

Our emergency and urgent care department lends out more than 50 pairs of crutches a week, resulting in more than £30,000 a year.

Returning your medical equipment to our hospitals is quick and easy, and means that we can invest more money into looking after our patients.

You can return equipment to the University Hospital of North Tees or the University Hospital of Hartlepool. However, you might have received equipment from Tees Community Equipment Service. This can be indicated by a yellow receipt and must be returned directly to them.

Where can I return equipment?

University Hospital of North Tees

Main reception

The main reception at the University Hospital of North Tees can accept returned medical equipment. Simply speak to the receptionist on duty who will take your returned items from you.

A&E reception

You can return crutches and walkers to the emergency department. Please give them to the receptionist at the emergency reception desk.

Orthopaedic outpatients

Orthopaedics can take in crutches when you no longer need them. Simply take them to the reception desk.

Tatchell Centre

Crutches can be returned at the Tatchell Centre. Simply ask the receptionist on duty.

University Hospital of Hartlepool

Orthopaedic outpatients

Crutches can be returned to the orthopaedics outpatients department at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

Please make sure you return crutches to the orthopaedics reception desk, not the general outpatients reception.

The department can be found past general outpatients and Rutherford Morrison. If you are having trouble finding it, please ask at main reception and they can point you in the right direction.

Tees Community Equipment Service

If you’re not sure if the equipment belongs to TCES, please call 01642 224205 or email [email protected].

You can arrange for your equipment to be collected from home or you can drop it off at their headquarters in Middlesbrough.