Millions of pounds worth of vital medical equipment goes missing every year, leaving patients at risk and healthcare staff frustrated by lack of resources.

Hospitals have to cover the cost for any stolen item, which decreases the hospital’s operating margins. Often it’s high-value specialist technology such as defibrillators, heart monitors, and resuscitation equipment that’s disappearing, stolen to order by organised gangs.

However, laptops and PCs also go missing, and it is not just the cost of replacement that is of concern, but confidential patient details, important research notes and lecture papers often disappear as well.

IT equipment in hospitals is particularly vulnerable as it is often left unmanned in public spaces or empty consulting rooms. Permanently marking property with Selectamark acts as a superb theft deterrent.

It is not just theft which is a problem though. When walking frames are issued to the elderly or injured, relatives or carers will not always know where to return them to unless they have been permanently marked with Selectamark visible marking to display the hospital name or ward. Kitchen appliances, such as microwaves, toasters and kettles can often wander from one hospital kitchen to another unless they have been marked with the department name or ward to ensure they stay put.