CHILD health chiefs at Basingstoke hospital are hoping an Easter amnesty will lead to the return of hundreds of items of equipment - saving thousands of pounds and allowing children to go home earlier.

Loaned equipment that is never returned costs the hospital thousands of pounds a year.

Now, an equipment audit has revealed that as many as 60 bed-wetting monitors are missing, along with six suction machines and 12 sleep apnoea baby alarms.

Up to 20 pairs of crutches are also missing, as well as numerous traction weights.

Baby alarms are no longer handed out by the hospital, but by a cot death charity. However, bosses say they would still like the old ones returned for servicing. It is the same for suction machines which are used for clearing airways.

Mary Mullix, manager of the child health department, said: "We don't have the budget to replace all the items, so we thought the best way was to have an amnesty.

"People can bring equipment to the reception on G Floor. If it works, we will pass it on."

She said the bed-wetting alarms are for children aged seven to 10 and cost between £40 and £50. The apnoea baby alarms cost up to £70 and suction monitors as much as £400.

She said the absence of traction weights means alternative methods of splinting have to be used for children with broken limbs.

Mrs Mullix told The Gazette that the shortage of equipment was having an effect on the children's directorate.

"The manufacturers are good at getting things to us, but if something happens to a child on a Friday, we have to wait until Monday," she explained. "This may mean they have to stay in hospital longer.

"For children using equipment in the longer term, it is also important that it is brought back for servicing.

"There is no blame attached to any of this, but some of this equipment may not have been returned for five years or more.

"Obviously people forget, but they shouldn't feel embarrassed. This is about making the most of the resources we have."

Mrs Mullix said a new form has now been drawn up, which parents will be asked to sign, to allow equipment to be traced more easily.

The occupational therapy department at Basingstoke hospital is also missing an estimated £2,000-worth of equipment.

OT manager Camilla Radia-George said: "We have a wide range of equipment loaned out - from raised toilet seats and high-back chairs to wheelchairs. There are also bathing and toileting aids, stools and kitchen trolleys.

"These tend to end up in a garden shed once they're no longer needed.

"It can slow down the process. The more equipment we have, the more people we can help."

Occupational therapy items should be returned to the hospital reception desk.