Bradford Teaching Hospitals has announced a campaign to get people to bring back wheelchairs which are no longer in use.

Every year the NHS trust loans out 1,500 wheelchairs to patients but only three-quarters are returned.

Now hospital bosses are appealing for the return of these vital pieces of equipment so they can be used by those most in need.

“We have many different types of wheelchairs that we lend to those in need,” said physiotherapy manager, Jill Gregson. “But at a cost of between £150 to £2,000 per item it is vital that if patients no longer need or use these items that they return them as soon as possible.

“We do have an in-house repair, maintenance and rehabilitation engineering service so wheelchairs can be refurbished, cleaned and re-issued.”

During the amnesty, wheelchairs can be returned to the depot on Cemetery Road, Bradford, between 9am and 3.30pm. The hospital also offers a collection service and people can call (01274) 322555.

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