Rachael Hamilton MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire supports the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership newly launched amnesty on care equipment.
A Scottish Conservative FOI earlier this year revealed that over 1,000 walking aids had not been returned at a cost of over £34,000.
In the last 5 years 1,047 walking aids were identified as irrecoverable at a value of £34,210.
The number of walking aids classed as irrecoverable has increased from 155 in 2012/2013 to 273 in 2015/16.
Over a quarter (26.5%) of costs spent on walking aids in 2015/16 was spent on aids that would be never be returned, up from 20.5% the year before and 16% in 2012/2013.
Number of walking aids classed as ‘irrecoverable’ (unable to be traced) and value as follows:
2016-17 (to date 20/02/17) - 212 - £7158
2015-16 - 273 - £9317
2014-15 - 257 - £7778
2013-14 - 150 - £4711
2012-13 – 155 - £5246
Rachael Hamilton MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire said:
‘I support the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership amnesty on care equipment. It is sensible and the correct course of action.
‘The current trend highlights that more and more people are not returning walking aids and NHS Borders is having to spend thousands of pounds replacing them. This is money that could be spent elsewhere.
‘Those who no longer require their walking aids need to return them. These can be re-used and can save NHS Borders thousands of pounds in doing so.’