2 September 2010 Last updated at 12:02 ET

'Return gowns' plea from Devon hospital

Care and residential homes are being asked to return hospital pyjamas and operation gowns because of a "severe shortage", a Plymouth hospital says.

Derriford Hospital has contacted homes across the city with the garment return appeal.

It said its letters had prompted a number of calls offering to return nightwear and blankets, and that it planned regular collections.

The hospital needs to make savings of £27m this year.

In a letter sent out to all care homes in the Plymouth area, the hospital has asked the homes to "search out any hospital nightwear they may have inadvertently forgotten to return when a patient or resident has been returned from Derriford".

Derriford Hospital said the appeal followed a call earlier this year for the return of equipment such walking frames.