Sponsored Editorial

Many people are able to recover from illness or injury at home, thanks to equipment loaned by local Medway services.

If you have equipment you no longer need, now is the perfect time to return it to one of the four dedicated drop-off points at locations across Medway, or to your nearest waste and recycling centre.

This includes NHS or council-loaned equipment such as crutches, commodes, walking frames, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, free-standing toilet frames, perching stools, chair raisers, kitchen trolleys and wheeled walkers. You can also drop off broken items.

Cllr Teresa Murray, portfolio holder for adult services and public health, said, “As people’s needs change, they may no longer require equipment they’ve been loaned, so we’ve set up new drop-off points to make it easier for people to return items.

“This will help us help others in need of extra support to get home from hospital and be as independent for as long as possible. By returning equipment that has served its purpose you will help us make sure equipment gets to others who need it more quickly and the Mediequip team can repair and recycle broken items.”

Drop-off points:
- Medway Hospital, Windmill Hill Road, Gillingham - entrance near the bus stop in the hospital grounds (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
- Lordswood Healthy Living Centre, Sultan Road, Lordswood (7am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday)
- Rochester Healthy Living Centre, The Delce, Rochester (7am to 8pm, Monday to Friday)
- Street Angels Charity Shop, 125-127 High Street, Chatham (9am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday)

Jackie Brown, who is Medway Council’s Assistant Director for Adult Social Care, added: “It’s vitally important that we recycle any unused equipment loaned to people who no longer require it. This not only means we have equipment available when we need it, but also helps services and the taxpayers of Medway save money.”

All equipment will be assessed and thoroughly cleaned before reuse. You can also arrange free collection of equipment (larger items or too many items to return yourself) by phoning Medequip on 01634 975108 or emailing medway@medequip-uk.com.

This recycling initiative helps Medway residents to recycle their equipment and help someone locally.

Let’s make sure everyone can receive free medical equipment when they need it.