NHS cuts force worldwide medical equipment charity to close

Governance | Vibeka Mair | 11 Feb 2013

Aid to Hospitals Worldwide, a Suffolk-based charity which recycles medical equipment to use in the developing world, is to close following a reduction in equipment donations.

The charity, which has been in operation for a decade, has recycled 800 tonnes of redundant, but usable, medical equipment from NHS trusts and passed it on to hospitals in 55 countries.

But as NHS budget cuts have delayed upgrades to medical kit, donations are down by 50 per cent, according to the charity.

Commenting on the closure, Mike Coleman, chief executive of the charity, said: "The value of aid we were once able to recover to support projects abroad is now less viable set against rising shipping costs.

"It is with real sadness that we have taken this decision to close."

The charity collected items such as wheelchairs, beds and scanners from NHS hospitals.

Seven people will lose their jobs as a result of its closure.

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