SOUTH Hams and West Devon Primary Care Trust is having an equipment amnesty so people can return unwanted health care items.
Aids such as walking frames, mattresses, special cushions and commodes, which were issued by the trust but are no longer needed, can be returned so other patients can make use of them.
This type of equipment is routinely provided to patients in the community to enable them to stay at home rather than having to go into hospital.
Maria Terry, occupational therapy officer, said: ?We only have very limited stocks of expensive equipment so we are urging everyone in our area to return forgotten or unused items to help usmake the best possible use of our resources.?
The trust can arrange to collect equipment if people have transport difficulties. Just telephone 01803 861954 and a member of staff will be happy to co-ordinate the return of any items.
l The trust?s employment practices recently received recognition when NHS inspectors credited them with the Improving Working Lives Practice award.
The award followed a rigorous assessment in which nurses, therapists, domestic assistants and other support service staff were interviewed.
Personnel manager Sue Behenna said: ?There is a clear link between employee satisfaction and the patient experience and this trust is keen to ensure staff are happy and that patients have positive experiences.?