What to Do With Unused Medical Equipment and Supplies After Someone Dies
When someone dies, there may be medical equipment and unused healthcare supplies left in their home.
These can include walking aids, dressings, continence products, stoma supplies, catheters, syringes and other items accumulated during an illness.
It can seem wasteful simply to throw usable items away. Fortunately, some of them may be capable of being reused or donated.
Before throwing medical supplies away
One organisation worth contacting is MediGive, an initiative operated by the registered charity Medi Tech Trust.
MediGive collects unwanted medical equipment and surgical supplies and aims to put them to useful purposes, including helping medical communities in low-income and war-affected countries.
Bereavement is specifically one of the circumstances in which the charity receives donations from individuals.
Examples of items MediGive says it may accept include:
- bandages and wound dressings
- plasters
- catheters and urine bags
- stoma, ostomy and urostomy bags
- continence pads, pants and sheets
- glide sheets
- syringes
- crutches
- walkers and other walking aids
It may also be able to accept other medical equipment and surgical consumables, depending on the item and its condition.
What about unused medicines?
Do not send medicines to MediGive.
Unused or unwanted medication should normally be returned to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
MediGive also has restrictions on some other items, so it is sensible to check with the charity before posting or transporting anything.
How can items be donated?
The practical arrangements depend upon what you have and where you live.
Small items
Smaller and lighter medical supplies can normally be posted to MediGive’s base in Hailsham, East Sussex.
The charity suggests that, where appropriate, items can be removed from bulky outer manufacturer’s boxes to reduce postage costs, provided individual sterile packaging remains intact.
Larger items
For larger quantities or bulky equipment such as crutches and walkers, contact MediGive first.
Collections may sometimes be possible, particularly within East Sussex. If you live elsewhere in the country, the charity can advise whether there is a practical way of getting the items to them.
If you live in East Sussex
Some participating GP surgeries have MediGive recycling bins for smaller unused medical supplies.
Items can also be delivered directly to Medi Tech Trust’s premises in Hailsham during its opening hours.
Check before donating
Do not assume that every piece of medical or mobility equipment can be accepted.
For example, some equipment may actually belong to the NHS, a local authority, hospital, hospice or equipment-loan service. Look for labels or paperwork before giving it away.
If equipment was supplied on loan, contact the organisation that provided it and ask whether it should be returned.
For personally owned equipment or unused consumable supplies, contact MediGive before disposing of anything that may still be useful.
A useful job when clearing someone’s home
Sorting out someone’s belongings after their death can take time, and understandably medical items may not seem particularly important.
But separating potentially reusable medical supplies from ordinary rubbish can take only a few minutes and may prevent useful equipment and supplies going unnecessarily to landfill.
MediGive says donated items are used for worthwhile causes, charities and communities rather than being sold for profit.
Find out whether your items can be donated
Before taking or sending anything, check MediGive’s current requirements and contact them if you are uncertain.
MediGive / Medi Tech Trust
Hailsham, East Sussex
Registered Charity No. 1157837
Visit MediGive’s website to check what can currently be donated and how to send or arrange collection of items.
Also dealing with an estate after someone has died?
Medical equipment is just one of the many practical issues that can arise after a death.
Our local guides explain the immediate steps to take, how to register a death, arranging the funeral, dealing with the home and possessions, probate and estate administration, and where to find useful local services.