ABSTRACT
All medical equipment will, at some point, reach the end of its useful life. An organisation then has the problem of what to do with it. Disposal may mean physically destroying it for scrap or recycling but can also involve device transfer to another party as working equipment, for refurbishment or for another further use. Old medical equipment should not languish in cupboards, drawers or corridors for years, in case it comes in useful. If not actively maintained, there is a risk unsafe equipment will be used clinically by individuals whose training is out of date and with consumables that are incompatible.
