Hospital launches walking frame amnesty in bid to get patients home for Christmas

An urgent plea is being made by University Hospital Southampton (UHS) for the return of walking frames no longer needed by people in the community – to help us get patients home in time for Christmas.

The walking frame amnesty is being launched in response to a national shortage of the frames, which are critical to enabling some patients to leave hospital and return home safely with the support of a mobility aid.

UHS usually has around 60 such frames available for patients. There are currently only three.

If we are unable to provide patients with an appropriate frame it could delay their discharge from hospital, while also putting additional pressure on the number of available hospital beds.

Frames being returned need to be in good condition so they can easily be used again – meaning they are not bent or fractured and there is no evidence of significant wear and tear. They also need to be cleaned before being returned or collected.

The hospital’s Patient Support Hub is supporting the amnesty and people can contact them directly to arrange to drop off the frames – or for them to be collected if needed – by calling 0800 484 0135.

Collections can be arranged with our volunteer drivers Monday-Friday between 10am and 4pm.

If you are able to return your frame to us, you can deliver them to the Patient Support Hub Pod – based in the Old Nurses Building opposite the Emergency Department entrance – as long as you have made arrangements with the team in advance. This service is available on weekends between 10am and 4pm or in the evening between 4pm and 7pm.

UHS currently has strict infection prevention policies in place which means there is no access for people to the main hospital unless you have a medical appointment. Anyone coming on to the hospital site should wear a mask and should not visit if they have Covid symptoms or live with someone who is isolating after testing positive.

Anna Howlett, Specialist Occupational Therapist at UHS, said: “This is a critical situation that could literally prevent a patient from being discharged home from hospital this Christmas. This in turn has a knock-on effect on the number of hospital beds we have available for patients who are sick and really need them.

“We are calling on everyone who has a hospital-issued walking frame at home that no longer needs it, to arrange for it to be returned urgently.”

To contact the Patient Support Hub and arrange to return your walking frame or arrange for a collection call 0800 484 0135.