A NEW scheme to help elderly residents who have to go into hospital has been launched in Southend.

The red bag scheme will see care home workers pack a resident’s paperwork, list of medication and personal items for a hospital stay.

It is hoped the new scheme will improve the ambulance service handover and reduce accident and emergency assessment times for patients.

James Currell, general manager for medical specialities at Southend Hospital, said: “This is a great example of how local health and social care services can work together in partnership to improve patient care.

“We know that it can be confusing and very stressful for care home residents when they need to be transferred to hospital, particularly in an emergency, but this simple patient centred initiative will enhance patients’ experiences by ensuring a smoother transfer in and out of hospital.

“We also welcome the positive impact it will have for patient safety by allowing health care professionals to immediately identify the patient as a care home resident. It provides us with the information we need to provide individualised care, which is particularly important for patients with memory problems or longer term dementia. The Red Bag also makes it simpler to keep track of the patients’ essential belongings and other items including personal information.”

As a borough, Southend has three times the number of people living in care homes than the national average.

Due to the complex and long-term nature of the health issues of many care home residents, there are often frequent and sometimes sudden admissions to hospital.

Initially the scheme will be being rolled out to all care homes in Southend.

This will be followed by care homes in the Castle Point and Rochford.

Discharge information will also be put into the red bag so when patients return to their care home, staff can ensure any advice given can be followed up straight away, instead of waiting to hear from the GP.

Ryan O’Shea, senior development manager for primary care at Southend Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It is a valuable step forward in improving care for local care home residents; putting the patients’ needs first, by enabling smoother transfers of care and therefore reducing any stress or anxiety for the patient which is a huge benefit.”