HSE spends €68m on crutches and wheelchairs

THE HSE spent more than €68 million on wheelchairs, crutches and walking frames last year, amid growing calls for existing equipment to be recycled to patients.

Figures revealed by health service management to the Irish Medical News show that over the course of 2009 almost €188,000 was spent every day on such equipment.

Among the highest paying areas were the HSE Dublin North East (€24.1m), HSE South (€18.4m) and the HSE West (€11.03m).