Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment has been made of the potential savings to the public purse of the re-use of (a) casts, (b) walking boots, (c) crutches and (d) other aids within the NHS.

No such assessment has been made.

The Government recognises the importance of repairing and recycling crutches, wheelchairs and other such mobility equipment where it is safe and cost effective to do so, however it is a matter for local determination. This is often jointly arranged between both the National Health Service and local authorities.