You may need equipment to help you manage safely and independently after you go home from hospital. You may have trouble doing things at home such as:
Having a shower or bath
Sitting or standing up from the toilet
Walking and moving around
Getting dressed or undressed
Getting comfortable in bed
You can hire or buy equipment at Sunshine Hospital from MedWest. We are in the foyer of Sunshine Hospital.
You can also hire or buy equipment from the Patient Appliance Centre at Footscray Hospital. We are near the main information desk.
What to do
You will need to be assessed by an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist before you hire or buy any equipment. This should happen when you are in hospital or within 4 weeks from when you go home from hospital.
After you assessment is finished the therapist will talk to you and your family about the equipment that you need. The therapist will give you a form to take to MedWest or the Patient Appliance Centre when you pick up your equipment.
Types of equipment
Some examples of equipment include:
Crutches
Walking frames
Commode chairs
Over toilet frames
Shower chairs/stools
Pick up sticks
Rails
Tap turners
Bedsticks
Kitchen trolleys
Conditions of hire
Hire equipment is free for 30 days for people going home from hospital
Hire equipment can be hired for a maximum of 13 weeks in total
Hire and deposit fees are charged for all loan equipment
Hire equipment remains the property of MedWest
If hire equipment must be purchased if it is needed for a long time. Any hire or deposit fees will be taken off the purchase price
You can pay for equipment before you go home from hospital or we can send you a bill after you go home. You can pay by cash, EFTPOS or credit card.
Return of hire equipment
It is the your responsibility to organise the return of the equipment on or before the end of the loan period
A courier can pick up items but you will need to pay for the courier
If you do not return the equipment when it is due you may need to pay the full cost for the item
There may be a cost if the equipment is not clean when you return it
Opening Hours
MedWest at Sunshine Hospital
We are open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 12.30pm and 1.00pm to 4.00pm.
Equipment may be returned via the main reception area of Sunshine Hospital:
Patient Appliance Centre at Footscray Hospital.
We are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Equipment can be returned to us during these hours.
Contact Us
MedWest
Sunshine Hospital
Phone: 8345 0035
Patient Appliance Centre
Footscray Hospital
Phone: 8345 6636
