Residents have hit out the “shocking waste” of hospital crutches after they were found dumped in the bin in Garston.

Three sets of crutches and four walking frames were pictured dumped at the Waterdale Recycling Centre on February 18.

Watford Observer: Three sets of crutches were found dumped in Garston.Three sets of crutches were found dumped in Garston. (Image: Mark Bradley)

A label states that they belong to the West Herts Hospital Trust therapy department and should be returned to the hospital when no longer needed.

One Watford Observer reader called it a “shocking waste”, while another said: “The fact people take them to the dump and not back to the hospital is beyond me.”

Watford Observer: The trust denied it was responsible for disposing of the equipment.The trust denied it was responsible for disposing of the equipment. (Image: Mark Bradley)

The trust confirmed it had not disposed of them and was "sorry to see" reusable equipment thrown away like this.

Watford Observer: One reader called it a shocking waste of hospital equipment.One reader called it a shocking waste of hospital equipment. (Image: Mark Bradley)

A spokesperson said: “We never dispose of equipment unless it is unsafe to use and we ask our patients to return items to our hospital sites so we can re-use them. This eases the pressure on both landfill and NHS budgets."

The trust said it is working to increase the number of drop-off sites as part of its green plan.

Used equipment can returned at the Watford General Hospital disabled car park, St Albans City Hospital reception and the Outpatient therapy unit at Jacketts Field, Abbots Langley.