So a petition that started from a knee jerk reaction to witnessing horrific waste, whilst there are constant issues with shortages of funding / resources etc., has developed into awareness of so many other facets. (1) The estimated annual £300 million pound waste is just in connection with unused medication. (2) I cannot imagine what the cost of waste of equipment such as mobility aids, unused syringes, pressure cushions etc is (3) both the drug company and the Department for Health have blandly stated that it is against guidelines to reuse anything - however there is information on the internet about organisations that will gratefully accept certain unused, in date items - from local and international animal welfare charities to needle exchanges and also organisations that deliver overseas aid. (4) although the NHS will of course require enhanced levels of funding regularly we all have a moral duty to do what we can to reduce waste and preserve funds already allocated. I have tried to keep personal issues out of this petition to protect the privacy of my family members who have experienced difficulties when health issues took them to hospital. This is not a petition for any personal gain but for the benefit of so many causes. Please join the discussion  and spread the message. There is no point in wringing our hands and bemoaning the state of affairs - and yet doing nothing to improve it. For those who can't or are unhappy about signing on line - I am preparing a paper version of this petition that will just display your name, post code, date and signature. Spreading the message requires a certain dexterity with social media - I am learning about this as well!