KEY POINTS:
Theft and vandalism of wheelchairs is costing Health Waikato thousands of dollars.
The authority has been forced to buy 69 new wheelchairs at a cost of $280 each because more than 50 at Waikato Hospital have been stolen or damaged.
In recent times wheelchairs have been found ruined at a local skateboard bowl, in the Waikato River and in one case a chair was being used to deliver advertising pamphlets, Health Waikato chief operating officer Jan Adams said today.
She said chairs were being stolen or taken home by patients who failed to return them.
Some were so damaged when they returned that they were only good for scrap.
"Other equipment also goes missing including crutches, linen, blankets, tissues, towels, flip charts - anything that isn't bolted down basically," Mrs Adams said.
"We have a replacement budget but clearly it is frustrating for us to have to replace items desperately needed by patients.
"We urge the public to help us. When wheelchairs, crutches, towels etc are taken or stolen from the hospital the cost is borne by the taxpayers.
"We are as vigilant as we can be but the reality is we are here to look after the health needs of our population."
- NZPA
