Time for an autumn clear out? We’re always on the look out for used medical equipment. Can be in good condition, or in need of refurbishment, or for spares only. Whatever.

Also looking for spare parts inventory, manuals, test equipment etc.

Cash waiting. Can collect throughout the UK. Don't just bin it. We will always make you a fair offer.

Our correct Trust equipment donation method includes the receiver making an agreed bid for the equipment. However, if it can be done then there might be a nasal cautery unit available - it is not used anymore here.

I thought our Trust had a sort of official charity that they sent equipment to. If they don't run that programme anymore, or don't want it and you do, it would be better than throwing it away.

Is that any good to you? I suppose that even if you are repairing things before you send them, there are going to be certain items that it is just better not to recycle. If you let us know what you need or what can be recycled, the forum might be able to do more.

Good luck!

But surely esteemed contributors to this same forum have frowned upon such practices, Clare, have they not? For instance:-





… so, which way is it? Does the NHS have any coherent policy on this issue? My own take is that, by acting as a scavenger, I am helping out the mighty NHS (albeit in a very small way, as I always put in the lowest possible bid), by returning funds to the coffers in exchange for equipment that would otherwise just be binned! You could then take that money and purchase shiny new equipment (does plastic really shine?), or whatever else you want to do with it. There you are, I would be doing you a favour, not the other way round (as so many posts on this forum appear to imply).

Well, at least your own policies seem pretty clear, Trader. No one could accuse you of flamboyancy there, Mate. But you do have a point, though, as there have been a number of "mixed messages" on this forum about the rights and wrongs of selling off surplus equipment. It's almost as though some people shy away from anything that smacks of the filthy lucre!

I think I agree with Biomeds idea, a small income being generated for the Trust from the resale of the un-used equipment. But I dont think it would be very cost effective, a bod would have to "prepare" the equipment for sale and the lowest possible bid would just about cover his/her wage (I guess).

During the condemnation/decommisioning proceedure I have always been told to "safely disable" the equipment ready for disposal. The equipment is then taken away by a dedicated white van man when the time is right.

NHS nervousness regarding disposal of obsolete equipment to third parties emenates from trust risk departments and trust lawyers. The pressure to get back any residual value in an asset is from finance. The bottom line is obviously to follow the procedure specified in your trust's Medical Device Policy. Ours is for disablement of kit then WEEE disposal to scrap.

As regards worries about previous repairs making you legally liable for harm in a third world hospital, if you're prepaered to send repairs back onto an NHS ward, surely it ought to be alright to send repaired items abroad.

I live local to my hospital so the kit I repair has landed up used on most of my family and myself.

Marc

Here's another equipment disposal route for you all to consider. Don't waste your Trusts cash scapping equipment when you can get some return on it...

The disposal sales agency are the official government body through which you can safely dispose of all medical and non medical equipment. They would sell those items via numerous vetted contractors with proceeds returning directly to the trust. Furthermore, they DSA would subsequently be directly responsible for any future liabilities linked to that equipment.

It is the safest method and removes any risk from the trust plus the added benifit of funds finding there way directly back to the trust. One of their roles it states is "To secure the best overall return to the taxpayer from the sale of publicly owned major equipment and stockholding".

The current DSA contractor for medical equipment are field textiles on 0044 (0) 1268-729233. Also visit http://www.edisposals.com You will notice that they began life as the MoD's disposals agency so if you want a cheap land rover or battle ship this is the place to go.

John

Looks like we already need to revise Policy No.2, then, John.

Meanwhile, here is where it all ends up. I believe I recognise some of that kit. Ha, ha.



... doesn't quite gel, that, does it? How long is it before they get a sale at those prices (ie, how long does the Trust have to wait to see it's return), I wonder? Although I take the point about what we might call "absolution of risk", I expect the Trust would get a quicker result at, for example, Hilditch.

And there's not a whole lot going on here at the moment, either, by the look of it. By the way, notice the disclaimer on their home page:- "All items on this site need to checked and come with no guarantee". Just the same as you would get from Mike Hilditch (or, for that matter, the Biomed Trader, I should imagine).

Obviously this is not the only equipment disposal route available for NHS Trusts. EBME / Clinical Engineering departments who have enough clout and respect within their organisations can and do write their own equipment disposal policies, as long as they are within the NHS guidelines. Many Auction Houses will take on the risk factors and even dispose of unsold equipment in line with WEEE regulations.
There is more than one way to skin this cat!

Indeed, John, indeed. Just playing out my usual role as the devil's advocate, you know.

As I may have said before, I would have thought that a Central Collection Point (Clearing House, Redistribution Point etc.) for the whole of the National Health Service would put this issue to rest once and for all. Then everyone should be happy. Especially with all those nice NHS trucks I notice rushing up and down the highways!