Special care bags have been created for patients with special needs or disabilities who have to spend time in A&E.
Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Trust, which runs Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax, have launched care bags to help children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism.
The bags include ear defenders, tactile objects, a colouring book and crayons and an easy read leaflet about A&E to support them through tests and investigations while they are in the departments.
The bags have been funded by the Trust’s charity. A competition to design the bag was won by Ash Bury.
The care bags have already proved a hit with mum Sammy and six-year-old Jack, who is autistic, pictured below with Nurse Consultant for Learning Disabilities Amanda McKie in HRI’s A&E.
Sammy wrote to the hospital and said: “Thank you so much for taking the time to complete a positive hospital visit with me and Jack this morning, it was such a great experience for us both.
“The care bag is fantastic with a lovely selection of sensory supporting toys. This would certainly help make a visit to hospital easier for neurodiverse families.”
Amanda said: “We will now be gathering feedback from everyone who gets one to find out the difference they made to their experience and if they could suggest any changes or improvements.”
Amanda also thanked the Learning Disability and Autism team at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for sharing their ideas.
