The Sudbury Regional Hospital (SRH) is seeking public assistance in recovering 94 missing wheelchairs.
People who are in possession of hospital wheelchairs for any reason are encouraged by to return them to any of the hospital sites or to the Jarrett Value Centre?s main location at 760 Notre Dame Ave. during regular business hours, no questions asked.
All SRH wheelchairs have the hospital logo on the back and an identification number engraved on the metal frame.
?These missing wheelchairs represent a significant percentage of the chairs in our hospital system and creates an access problem for patients,? Andrea Lee, administrative director of the hospital's rehabilitation program said in a news release.
?This could become an inconvenience or hardship to patients who need them for transportation while at the hospital. At approximately $500 for a new wheelchair, it is also a significant financial loss for the hospital system.?
The hospital stores wheelchairs in central areas at all three of its sites and also at the regional cancer program, in order to ensure easy access by patients and families when needed.
In partnership with the Jarrett Centre, the hospital is offering an anonymous way to return missing wheelchairs, in hopes of recouping some of its missing property.
?Wheelchairs are expensive pieces of medical equipment,? said Lee. "Although there may not be any malicious intent in taking them, it is important to remember that they are only inconveniencing others who share that need if we are required to restrict access to wheelchairs because of this.?
