Crutches amnesty launched by Community Health Oxfordshire

The cost of a pair of crutches is £11.80, and just the three minor injuries units at Abingdon, Henley and Witney lose around 500 pairs a year between them costing £5,900 a year!

The minor injuries units at Abingdon, Henley and Witney and the first aid units at Bicester and Wallingford Community Hospitals are all in very short supply of crutches and in some cases have to borrow from each other to avoid running out.

Unfortunately former patients forget to return the crutches when they no longer need them. When a patient arrives and needs attention for breaks and sprains, the chances are they will need a pair of crutches to get them through the coming weeks of their recovery.

 “We would welcome anybody who no longer needs their crutches to return them.  Crutches can be used over and over again”, says Pete McGrane, Clinical Lead, Urgent Care at Abingdon Hospital.

“It is better to return them to any hospital if you are not able to get back to the one where you had treatment.  Just bring them in to any minor injury or first aid unit.  No questions will be asked – we will be glad to re-use any equipment that is still in working order.”