Cheshire West and Chester Council launches community equipment amnesty

Cheshire West and Chester Council is appealing for anyone with community equipment that is no longer needed to return it so it can be reused.

The council has announced an amnesty to ensure that this equipment, which enables independent living, can be reused to support other people.

The community equipment is an integral part of the council’s work to support people to live independently in their own homes for longer, where appropriate.

Any such equipment, which could include beds, seating, commodes, bathing, moving and handling  and walking/mobility aids, will be marked with a Ross Care sticker. The amnesty will see the equipment cleaned and prepared for reuse, also reducing the need to buy new equipment in future.

Items which can be returned and reused include:

• Hospital beds and hoists
• Walking frames
• Commodes
• Toilet surrounds
• Shower seats
• Bed transfer aids
• Crutches
• Furniture raisers

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for adult social care and public health, Cllr Val Armstrong said: “At the moment, there are a number of items of community equipment which are no longer required and are possibly sitting unused in people’s homes.  

“Perhaps loved ones of those who have previously used this equipment are not aware that it has been loaned by the council. We believe that some of this equipment has been taken to waste recycling centres when it could be reused to help someone else.

“We would love to see any community equipment no longer in use to be returned to us so that someone else can benefit from it. This will have the added bonus of saving money which would otherwise have to be spent on purchasing new equipment.”

Anyone with equipment which is no longer needed is invited to call 0151 6536000 or email CES@rosscare.co.uk to arrange collection. Collections can also be requested using this link:

https://rosscare.co.uk/pages/cheshire-integrated-community-equipment-service.

The equipment will then be picked up by a Ross Care engineer within five working days, free of charge. Alternatively, it can be dropped off by prior arrangement at:

Unit 7 Artis Park

Winsford Industrial Estate

Winsford

CW7 3QE

Pictured - Ross Care mobile shower chair with castors.