Shirley’s scheme to recycle crutches wins national acclaim

An innovative recycling scheme where patients receive elbow crutches quicker, has resulted in occupational therapist Shirley Rashid being shortlisted for a national award.

Shirley, from Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT), is one of just four finalists in the Greener Allied Health Professions Award 2023. This recognises a team or individual who has improved a service, while at the same time reduced healthcare’s environmental impact.

Last year, Shirley was successful in a bid for funding from the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) to buy a stock of 50 pairs of elbow crutches, to make them readily available to people in the community. Previously getting the crutches had meant ordering a pair each time they were needed and patients had to wait.

However, the elbow crutches were non-returnable. Concerned about the impact on the environment and keen that the crutches should help as many people as possible, Shirley set about putting a new system in place. Thanks to her efforts, they can now be taken back to the KCHFT community hospital or clinic where they were given out. Work is also underway to set up recycling stores at Victoria Hospital in Deal and Tonbridge Community Hospital, where various equipment could be returned.

Shirley Rashid with some elbow crutches

Shirley said: “We were seeing people in the community who needed these, but ordering them individually took a lot of form filling and waiting time for patients.

“The problem was people could not return them. Physiotherapists give out a lot of equipment and I felt a responsibility around sustainability, which is why I set up the recycling scheme."

KCHFT therapists give elbow crutches to people who have suffered fractured hips or knees and those who have come out of hospital and need rehabilitation. People with conditions such as MS and Parkinson's Disease also use them, to help with mobility and support.

Shirley said: "We find younger people who have a long-term condition, prefer elbow crutches to a walking frame. They have a more youthful and sporty image, with people often associating them with a sporting injury. Sometimes people don't need a zimmer frame and elbow crutches are practical when going up and down stairs.

"As well as improving the environmental impact, I'm so pleased we can now help people quicker. Patients have commented that crutches increase their independence, help them get out of the house, feel more confident and empowered, like they are making progress and that they have helped with both physical and mental health and wellbeing.

"We’ve had good results so far. Patients get the crutches quicker and feel better that they can return them to the NHS. We aim to increase the return rate of equipment prescribed by KCHFT, which will increase its responsible recycling and re-use.”

The winner will be announced mid-October.