Issue and return of crutches (FOI)

​Request

This FOI comes in response to a recent 'hospital crutches amnesty'. Please kindly provide the following information as far as records go back:

A

How many crutches given by the hospital or associated States health services go missing or are not returned annually?

B

How much does a pair of crutches cost?

C

How much is spent per year on crutches and replacement crutches?

D

What is the policy on crutch use / returns? For example, is there a fine for late returns? And, if so, how much is this fine?

Response

A

The Scheduled Public Authority do not hold this information.

B

£8.06 a pair.

C

Over the last 12 months, stores have issued 441 pairs of crutches to various departments at a cost of £3,554.46

D

When crutches are returned they are assessed for signs of damage or wear and tear. Locking mechanism and spring buttons must fully engage and hole must not be worn. They are cleaned and the ferrules replaced if necessary before being re-issued.

Some crutches are not usable after return.

The relative low cost of crutches does not make it viable to maintain a database, charge a deposit or implement a fine process for late returns.