A hospital trust in Birmingham has saved thousands through a trial project urging people to return their vital medical equipment.
Scheme at Good Hope Hospital
Good Hope Hospital set up the scheme in May 2025, encouraging patients and families to return unwanted walking aids so they could be safely reused, refurbished, or redirected where they are most needed. Bosses said that, one year on, the impact of the initiative has exceeded expectations.
Since the scheme began, a total of 545 walking aids have been collected from the dedicated deposit box at the entrance to the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Centre. Items reused include walking frames, elbow crutches, and walking sticks, helping ensure patients continue to access essential mobility equipment without delays.
Breakdown of Items and Savings
Of the 545 items donated, 282 items were safely reused within Good Hope Hospital and 174 were returned to equipment provider Medequip to review and reuse. A total of 67 items were donated to Africa for reuse, while 21 items were disposed of because they were not safe for use.
As a result, £8,148.96 total savings were made across the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System, including £5,248.23 directly at Good Hope Hospital. Medequip saved £2,900.74 based on an estimated 80 per cent cost recovery rate for approximately 90 per cent of items returned.
In addition to reuse within the NHS, the project has also supported people overseas. Over the past year, £2,017.61 worth of equipment was donated to Africa. These items included aircast boots and wooden walking sticks, which cannot be safely refurbished within NHS facilities but remain suitable for reuse in other healthcare settings overseas.
Environmental Benefits
Reusing walking aids rather than manufacturing new ones has also delivered substantial environmental benefits, particularly given the carbon intensity of aluminium production. Over the past year, reuse of frames, crutches, and walking sticks has resulted in: 7.15 tonnes of CO2 saved at Good Hope Hospital, 5.39 tonnes of CO2 saved through Medequip returns, and 12.54 tonnes of CO2 saved in total.
Project Leader's Comments
The project was led by Hayley White, Reconditioning Clinical Specialist, who said: "I couldn't be prouder of what this project has achieved over the past year. What started as a simple idea has grown into something that has made a real difference – improving patient safety, supporting sustainability, and delivering meaningful financial savings across the system. To see hundreds of walking aids returned, reused, and even sent on to support people beyond the NHS is incredibly rewarding."
She added she hopes even more items will be returned to the hospital in the second year of the scheme.
