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Not sure how to get rid of my commode (am in London)

Tesslynne

Hi,

I have looked on Scope and I even called a charity but they are far outside of London so it's impractical for them to take it.

I haven't needed my commode for a while - which is great!! - but I don't know how to get rid of it, recycle it, donate it or whatever. Obviously it's empty and clean!

Is my only open pay the council to take it?

Does anyone know what my options are? Again, I'm London-based so some charities I've been looking at who might otherwise take it are too far. It was from a hospital too. I don't think they'd take it back as it's been used but I don't know how this works, anyone here who does?

If the only option is council donation I'll just have to wait till I can more easily afford this and then pay them to take it. But I'm hoping it's not the only option?

Thanks in advance for any help!

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Tesslynne

(PS: I decided to hang on to the other things, the mobility aids, just in case I need them again. I do still need to use the walker, I use it for my physio cos I still need something to lean on and don't have anything else. I'm reluctant to get rid of the other mobility aids in case I need them again. I guess I could do. Honestly, a bit scared to! But it's more the commode, I'd really love to be rid of it. I appreciate having it all that time I needed it!)

durhamjaide2001

as for as I was aware I thought the NHS would collect it if it was from there

Tesslynne

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/985302#Comment_985302

They might do. Not sure how to arrange a collection but I'll do a search and see if I can contact someone there to collect it. I hope so!

And thank you. That would also explain where there doesn't seem to be a charity for it etc., maybe NHS does collect it so it's not needed. I don't know if they collect commodes too but they might do. Thanks again!

durhamjaide2001

your welcome I'm glad that I have helped you

Tesslynne

You definitely have pointed me in the right direction, thank you!

figraspberry41

Hi Tesslyne,

Can I ask, when the equipment you have was delivered to you were you left an invoice, receipt or piece of paper with the item listed? If so, then there should be a contact number for you to have collected the item you no longer have use for collected. As an retired Healthcare Professional, O.T's or Nurses would prescribe items for patient use which would be supplied by a designated company (such as Millbrook) who supply the items ordered and will collect them. Items used are re-furbished, cleaned etc and then put back into circulation, so not just disposed off. If you no longer have the paper (that should have been left with you when items were delivered) then you could phone (as the previous person suggested), the Hospital that provided the equipment and ask them for contact details for the company to collect the items.

Hope this is useful. Good luck with it.

Kimi87

If you do a Google search for "NHS equipment return (place name)" it should come up with the company who supply, deliver and collect.

In my area that is Medequip.

Everything can be returned generally.

Tesslynne

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/985315#Comment_985315

It's hard to remember for sure, plus at the time I was dealing with the injury, then the complications, trying to re-learn how to walk & so on. But I think I only got paperwork about the medicine side. I could be wrong! I should still have it but not sure. Yes, I wondered that also, about phoning the hospital or maybe even going in, whatever is easiest to get hold of them and ask. I might do that too. Thank you. Cos maybe there might be a record of it or maybe they use the one or two companies and know or can find out who it is. Good idea, thank you!

Tesslynne

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/985316#Comment_985316

I'll definitely try that too. I really hope it can all be returned! Because also, of course, then it can help someone else.

onebigvoice

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/985316#Comment_985316

Yes this is correct as they also collect, or except at hospitals as they are refurbished and are given to those that need them, and have had ot had an assessment.

Contact your local Hospital or council.

Tesslynne

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/985356#Comment_985356

I've tried the hospital. They WILL take the mobility aids but not the commode. I did try another charity. Good idea about the council. It may be at matter of waiting till I have more money to be honest, if a car and or a fee is involved. I found a couple of local places too, I'd have to try to get someone I know with a car to help, but again, there may be a fee and I'm not sure if we could take the commode there or not.

Anyway, thank you!

HappyDays62

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/129705/not-sure-how-to-get-rid-of-my-commode-am-in-london

Can you advertise it in freecycle? That way, someone who needs it gets help, plus it gets recylcled and it's all free as the taker collects.

Tesslynne

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/985316#Comment_985316

I will also contact Medequip too and see what the procedure with them. Thank you. I think they might cover my area also.

Tesslynne

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/985489#Comment_985489

I did wonder about this. Not sure if anyone would take it but that's certainly an option. Also, with the mobility aids, the hospital told me which departments to ask. I think they WILL want it but if they don't then this is certainly an option. As you say, then someone else could use it.

figraspberry41

Hi Tesslynne,

Glad people have been able to offer you some ways of removing your no longer items. I have had another 'thought'. somewhere on your commode there should be a Bar Code sticker, it should also have a contact number for replacement or collection when no longer required.

The paperwork given to you when discharged is normally only your discharge letter and information (if any) with your medication. The service provider (i.e. company that supplies equipment via NHS) should have left you paperwork (like an invoice or instructions on who to contact) for disposal / collection of said items, when they delivered the items. The Hospital where you were, should be able to find out who prescribed the items for you and give you the number to contact. The prescriber (be it a nurse or O.T. or physio) will only be the prescriber, then it is the company supplying the equipment who should be able to arrange for collection.

As previously stated, equipment is cleaned and refurbished for use for another client / patient. I believe the Council will charge for collection of item but they will normally dispose of it but not recycle in the same way! I'm not sure if charities will take commodes or not because I think the only part that is replaced is the 'potty' part. I may be incorrect with that though.

I'm not a great IT person so forget about Google to use for information but certainly this might be a way of finding the company that is designated to your area for supplying and collecting equipment.

Good luck with the search. Hope you find your solution soon.

onebigvoice

Hi don't know if you have a thing called "FREECYCLE?" its a thing like face book where people "up cycle" things for free that are to good to scrap or skip and have many years of life still in them. (No pum intended)

Advert could be Free cycler collects.

I have donated loads and also collected a few items as well. At the moment its wood to replace the bottom of my sheds, the project I'm on now….

Tesslynne

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/985780#Comment_985780

Thank you! I think I've heard of freecycle but not used it yet, might even have the ap! I might be able to donate these two stools I have (shower stool & foot stool) to a local charity but not for another couple of weeks but if they can't take it then, I might be able to freecycle those. With the commode, I think I'll probably have to wait until I can afford to pay the council to collect it. With the walking stick & crutches (I do still need the walker) I will either donate to the hospital (they told me what department) but if they don't need it, I'll try freecycling those also.

Tesslynne

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/985740#Comment_985740

I'll have a check & see if there is some code. I DID ask at the hospital, but they weren't sure. I am pretty sure I didn't get paperwork for it but just the discharge thing & info about the medication. But there may be a barcode or some number or something on the commode, that's a good idea, thank you!
I'm going to take my walker to the hospital today & see if I can also donate my walker to them. I thought I needed it still, but I don't. I think if they wanted my crutches & stick they would also want the walker. I hope so, as it would clear up more space in my room & help someone out. But if not, then yes charities or freecycling it. I hope the hospital take it though, one less thing!

figraspberry41

Hi Tesslyanne,

The barcode will probably be found somewhere inconspicuous like the underside or back of commode. I have seen them in a small area on the framework. The sticker is small and can be easily missed but it should contain the barcode plus (usually in small print) above or below the barcode a telephone number which then should (hopefully) be able to tell you how to contact for collection. Just out of interest, if the other equipment was supplied at the same time, the items all should have a barcode sticker with same details. In my experience, any equipment requested via a Hospital practitioner (i.e. physio. O.T. or nurse), will have been supplied by the designated company for your local Trust and therefore is 'their' property.

You might like to see if any of the other equipment has a sticker with barcode and telephone contact which will save you having to take back to the Hospital because, I'm not sure that they will take it, as the equipment is 'on loan' via the contracted company for your area.

Will have been supplied by the company that manages the equipment for your local Hospital Trust. In my area it is Millbrook but another area might have a different company contracted to provide, service and collect unwanted items. If this is the case, they will arrange to collect all the no longer required equipment and save you struggling with it to the Hospital. Hope this helps and saves you an extra journey. Good luck! Hope you have a successful outcome soon and get more space back!

Tesslynne

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/986963#Comment_986963

Thank you! I actually DID go into the hospital and ask & yesterday I donated my walker. I'll try to donate back my walking stick & crutches too. But they did say they won't take the commode but weren't sure who would. I'll definitely have a look for a sticker, thank you!