medical supplies for charity

Grumpysally

I don't know if this is the correct place for this posting, so please move it as necessary.
I work in a nursing home and we tend to build up stocks of medical dressings which are no longer needed but still in date, if they are sent back to the chemist they will be destroyed, so they end up taking up valuble cupboard space.
We were discussing ways to deal with thi and someone suggested that there may be some charity that could use them.
Does anyone know of anywhere?
Thanks,

tim_n

Hi Alison - I've plenty of use for a few dressings as I work with St John Ambulance and a scout group (we always need practice out of date ones too)

Obviously it depends on your locality to whether its worth me picking them up unless you're able to sneakily send them via post for free somehow? ;-)

Otherwise if you're not in the Essex area, just contact another St John or Red cross organisation and they'll probably take them off your hands!

--edit--

Just noticed the west yorkshire... oops = )

Savvy_Sue

It might depend on quantities, but it's possible that InKind Direct could pass them on to charities who could use them. Or as tim says, they may be of use to local groups like St Johns or Red Cross who could use them either 'for real' or for practice purposes.

Or if you have a local Scrapstore - I've put the link to mine but I know there are a few others across the country ...

Or there's good old Freecycle ...

soolin

My neighbour is involved with a charity that obtains medical supplies and out of date equipment to go to the third world to back up the volunteer medical staff working there. I'll ask him for their details to add to the thread as well this morning.

Soo

Grumpysally

Thanks to the above posters.
I was thinking more of the developing world charities.
They are quite specialised dressings not the first aid kind that would be of any use to St John. More for pressure areas, ulcers etc.

urban_spirit

Hi AlisonW

I know my local Doctors surgery collects medicines, tablets, dressings etc to send to developing countries in extreme need of them. The Doctors organise this themselves, then send it on but unfortunately I don't know where to.

This is an ongoing thing by them to use up unwanted med. items so they're not wasted as well as provide some extra to other countries. You could have a chat with Doctors at local surgeries to see if they do this too.

Hope this helps.

soolin

Hi Alison,

The website I mentioned is http://www.twam.co.uk/ it mentions 'tools' but now they have built hospitals they are also looking for supplies. Anything donated can be collected.


Soo

jobbingmusician

I came across the details of https://www.hopeandaiddirect.org.uk today, and was impressed - perhaps they might be a good recipient?

tim_n

AlisonW wrote:

Thanks to the above posters.
I was thinking more of the developing world charities.
They are quite specialised dressings not the first aid kind that would be of any use to St John. More for pressure areas, ulcers etc.

Actually you'd be suprised Alison - I've had to dress a couple of ulcers when transporting patients - we do a lot of ambulance work on the behalf of the NHS - though you're right, we only need a couple or so!

vikki_louise

Hello, there are a few charities who take them (and take unopened medications providing they have at least 3 more months until they go out of date)

http://www.hopeandaiddirect.net
http://www.intercare.org.uk/donate-medicines
http://www.thejacobswell.org/how-we-work.php
http://www.twam.co.uk/home.html

There is another one based in Yorkshire (accepts donations from around the UK) but at the moment I can't remember what its called- sorry!

ginger_jo

Thanks for the information. I have recently lost a family member and was left with lots of unused dressings which were likely to end up thrown away so thank you for the information. I have been in touch with InterCare who will happily accept it all. You need to take donations to a GP which is registered with them and unfortunately due to data protection they are unable to publicise the list of registered GPs but if you ring them they can tell you if your GP is registered. They have a list on their website of medications and supplies they are able to accept so long as there is 15 months to expiry data.

Thanks again