Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance the NHS provides to (a) patients and (b) the families of deceased patients on the return of medical equipment that is no longer required.

Arrangements for the return, reuse or recycling of equipment is decided locally between the relevant commissioners and providers of equipment. There is a responsibility on National Health Service trusts to make the best use of all resources and items including recycling and reuse of equipment where it is safe and cost effective to do so.