Mobility and homecare equipment

At Western Health, we support your recovery both in hospital and at home. To ensure your safety and comfort after leaving hospital, you may be advised to use mobility and/or homecare equipment. 

This equipment can make everyday tasks easier, such as:

• having a shower or bath
• using the toilet
• walking or moving around
• getting dressed
• getting in and out of bed.

Before you hire or buy equipment, you will need to be assessed by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist. You should do this either when you’re in hospital or within 4 weeks of leaving hospital.

Once you’ve been assessed, the therapist will talk with you and your family about what equipment you need. They will give you a form to take when collecting your equipment.

MedWest at Sunshine Hospital (located in the foyer)

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am–12:30pm and 1–4pm (equipment can be returned Monday to Friday, 4–8pm or Saturday to Sunday, 8am–8pm)

Phone: (03) 8345 0035

Visit Sunshine Hospital website.

Patient Appliance Centre at Footscray Hospital (near the main information desk)

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm (equipment can be returned during these hours)

Phone: (03) 8345 6636

Visit Footscray Hospital website.

You may be advised to hire or buy one or more of the following:

• crutches or walking frames
• commode chairs or over-toilet frames
• shower chairs or stools
• pick-up sticks
• grab rails
• tap turners
• bed sticks
• kitchen trolleys.

• You can hire equipment for free for the first 30 days after leaving hospital.
• You can hire equipment for up to 13 weeks in total.
• Hire and deposit fees apply for all loan equipment.
• Equipment remains the property of MedWest.
• If you need to the equipment long-term, you will need to buy it. Any hire or deposit fee will be taken off the purchase price.

• You can pay for equipment before you leave hospital, or we can send you a bill after you go home.
• We accept cash, EFTPOS or credit card.

• It is your responsibility to return the equipment before the end of the loan period.
• You can arrange for a courier to pick up the items, but you will need to pay for the courier service.
• If you do not return the equipment on time, you may be charged the full cost of the item.
• You may also be charged a fee if you return equipment uncleaned.