'Red Bag' Initiative

Ayshea Hutchison 24/01/18 Dignity Champions forum

I attended a meeting recently where this initiative was being launched. For those who are not familiar with it I've attached the link below. The Red Bag scheme is being rolled out nationally and I feel is a great initiative to ensure smoother transitions and help preserve dignity. In Essex they are having launch days at different venues to raise awareness and promote the scheme.

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Pat Smith 24/01/18

Brilliant idea. What a good way to ensure that everything is together and hopefully this will be a success. I for one would support it.

Neil Purcell 24/01/18

What a great way to iron out a load of misinformation on arrival at hospital and on discharge,sounds so simple then again the best ideas usually are .

Old forum user 24/01/18

What a great idea everything together in one place. Hopefully this will be a success . I would want to support it.

Old forum user 24/01/18

I use the Red Bag in my work for a few months now. I am happy to say that there is a improvement in admissions and discharges from Hospital. Thank you

Janet O'Loughlin 24/01/18

My friend has Dementia and was having numerous admissions to hospitals I heard of the red bag scheme at a meeting, so the next time she was admitted to hospital she had her red bag ready. The paramedics hadn't heard of it before but said it was a great idea and they would pass it on to their team leaders. It's so easy for the paramedics to just pick up the bag with everything in even her repeat perscription.

Ayshea Hutchison 24/01/18

Thank you for the positive comments ! Such a simple idea and so effective just down to making sure the hospital passport, dentures, spectacles and a set of clothes to be discharged in are packed.
One Red 'alert' bag can make so much difference.

mike stone 25/01/18

I think this is a good idea - I've just tweeted about it. So long as the Red Bag does NOT contain a ReSPECT Form!

Janet O'Loughlin 25/01/18

I’ve just been to a meeting and we were talking about the Alzheimers This Is Me form. Nurses find this useful not only for people with Dementia but long term conditions. This is another thing to put in the bag but keep it updated so it shows any changes in your Health/ or preferences.

Liz Taylor 26/01/18

Agree that the red bag is a great idea as it overcomes so many potential problems around transition. However just two points, please make sure that the ambulance service is on board, I have come across situations where paramedics have refused to take it, and please be aware of confidentiality, whilst I am sure that medical staff be they nurses or paramedics or doctors understand the importance, that is not necessarily true of everyone who might come into contact with the bag. Sorry to sound a negative note on what is such a good idea

Ayshea Hutchison 29/01/18

We also have hospital passports that could be included - for anyone who hasn't seen them if you google 'hospital passport' various hospitals have uploaded a pictorial format detailing health/care needs etc. which give hospital staff a good picture of the individuals needs and preferences.