Harrogate Hospital urging people to return crutches and walking sticks
The hospital says a shortage of them is causing supply issues.
Harrogate District Hospital are asking the public to return any crutches and walking sticks they no longer use as part of an amnesty.
The local NHS trust has spent £14,000 on new crutches this year and have issued around 2,000 pairs to patients - but only around 50 per cent are returned.
The trust says it's causing a "significant" problem with the supply of crutches.
Karen Alford, Therapy Team Lead said “Our orders of crutches have been getting less reliable over the past few months and we are now at a point where delivery dates keep being rescheduled and moved further back.
“This has created a significant problem with our supply of crutches and is happening across the country with lots of other equipment.
“We would ask our former patients who have now recovered to return their crutches and walking sticks so that we can help other people. You may have forgotten you have them and they may be hiding in cupboards or behind sofas, so we would ask you to take a look and return any you find as soon as possible.”