Metal shortage has Oakville, Milton, Georgetown hospitals running out of crutches

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Published October 26, 2021 at 5:07 pm

Local hospitals in Oakville, Milton and Georgetown are in a crunch and they’re hoping you can provide a crutch.

A global shortage of magnesium, used in the production of aluminum alloys, has resulted in a shortage of aluminum and for local hospitals that means a shortage in aluminum crutches.

The shortage is now affecting the supply at all of the Halton Healthcare hospitals, including Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, Milton District Hospital and Georgetown Hospital.

To support patients, the Hospital Foundations are spearheading a crutch drive. The ‘We’re in a clutch, donate a crutch!’ appeal is calling on community members to donate crutches they have standing around.

Crutches that are donated will be cleaned, inspected, and offered to Emergency Department patients who require crutches.

On average, the three Emergency Departments use 300 sets of crutches monthly for patients coming through.

Individuals will be advised that the crutches were donated and they will not be charged.

The Foundations are hoping that the community will amplify the message by sharing social media posts letting networks know about the drive.

Crutches can be dropped off in the donation bins near any of the following hospital entrances:

West Ambulatory Entrance – Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital

Maternal Newborn Entrance – Milton District Hospital

South Entrance – Georgetown Hospital

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