This could be a case for Mulder and Scully - except it has more to do with X-rays than X-Files.

Concerned hospital staff are urging patients to turn detective to help them solve the mystery of the disappearing crutches.

The fracture clinic at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital is trying to find out just what is happening to the crutches and walking sticks loaned to patients. Many of them are not finding their way back to hospital.

Karen Bellinger, the JR's critical care support manager, said: "We have never been so short of crutches and walking sticks as we are now. People are obviously finding new uses for them when they no longer need them. "We've decided to launch an amnesty so that patients can return their old crutches and walking sticks without any questions being asked. It will help other patients greatly.

"It doesn't matter if you no longer have the pair you were originally issued - single crutches are just as welcome as some patients only need one."

The department issues an average of between 20 and 30 pairs of crutches a week.

It is not sure exactly how many are missing but stocks are at an all-time low, despite new orders being placed more regularly.

Each new pair costs the NHS about £10.

Story date: Thursday 20 May

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