A HOSPITAL is holding a month-long amnesty to encourage patients to return borrowed equipment.

The fast response service and the physiotherapy department at Ripon Community Hospital often loan equipment such as chairs, crutches and trolleys to patients.

David Jelley, head of fast response, said many items are never returned and the cost of replacing them runs into hundreds of pounds every year.

"We loan walking frames and equipment for the bathroom to enable patients to be more independent in their homes," he said.

"However, sometimes these pieces of equipment are no longer used by patients, but instead of finding their way back to Ripon Hospital they end up in a spare room or the garage."

Equipment can be left anonymously at the physiotherapy department until the end of November. To arrange for items to be collected, contact the fast response team on 01765-609093.