Too many crutches are going walkabout from Edgware Hospital.

The Wellhouse Trust, which runs the hospital's emergency services, says it is losing thousands of pounds each year because patients do not return borrowed crutches and walking sticks.

"Every time a patient fails to return their hospital equipment it means the hospital has to spend precious NHS money replacing it," says spokeswoman Yvonne Holland.

"If they bring equipment back to the urgent treatment centre at Edgware, no questions will be asked."

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