Walking aid return & reuse scheme Sherwood Forest Hospitals

This report outlines the introduction of a walking aid return and reuse scheme set up at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2025.

Issue: 

Metal walking aids are extremely durable products whose usable life exceeds the use by a single patient.  Walking aids have been identified as being in the top 20 of medical devices for carbon intensity.  In 2023-2024 Therapy services at Sherwood Forest Hospitals purchased 4787 walking aids, costing £60,500 and produced associated carbon emissions of 115,696 kg/CO2e.  Only 7% of the aids issued were returned.

Intervention: 

To introduce a walking aid return & reuse scheme, with drop off bins accessible to the public 24/7.  To swap walking aid supplier from NHS supply chain to British Red Cross, to access their robust returns system and introduce a digital log of walking aids issued.  The SusQI framework was used to deliver the project.

Outcomes: 

Outcomes were measured to identify the sustainable value using the triple bottom line approach.

• Patient outcomes:

  • Improved patient safety from being able to recall faulty walking aid batches.

  • Reduced injury risk from faulty or inappropriate aids not being passed on second hand.

  • Improved access and continuity of care by using local supply.

• Population outcomes:

  • No negative population outcomes were identified, as walking aid accessibility to all patient groups remained unchanged.

  • Support has been provided to several other organisations nationwide to support their walking aid projects.

• Social outcomes  

  • Improved engagement with the local community and addressed the local demand for returning walking aids to reduce financial and environmental costs.

• Environmental sustainability

  • 77% rise in number of walking aids returned, average monthly returns increased from 40 to 157.

  • 97% rise in the number of walking aids reused.

  • In 2024-2025, by swapping to British Red Cross and purchasing over 1900 fewer aids, carbon emissions for walking aids reduced by 53,505kgCO2e (32%) from 167,533 kgCO2e, to 114,029 kg/CO2e.

• Financial sustainability 

  • The number of walking aids purchased by therapy services reduced by 40% to 2850, saving £19,773 (even though the project didn't officially go live until month 10 of the financial year).

  • The purchase of two drop lid returns bins and the first year portering contract was £2,280.

  • Total yearly saving for 2024-2025 was £17,493 (29%).  

  • Predicted yearly saving for 2025-2026 is £40,670.

Key learning point: 

• Identifying accurate current procurement data for walking aid purchases and potential savings was essential for securing funding for bins.
• Projects that set out to make environmental savings can provide sustainable value across all components of the triple bottom line.  However these projects need to deliver financial sustainability to gain organisational support in the current NHS financial climate.
• Returns bins that are publicly visible and accessible 24/7 were vital for public engagement.
• An extensive internal and external PR was vital.  We utilised social media, radio interviews, newspaper articles, team briefs, bulletins, posters, screensavers, face to face staff walk rounds, community liaison with GP surgery's, local care providers, charities.
• This project can be easily implemented in our emergency department, to provide a further £30,000 saving.