Countess of Chester Hospital introduces medication awareness campaign

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new campaign that raises awareness of green medicines bags in hospital, as part of a renewed effort to better inform patients about ways to help themselves during their hospital stay

The Green Bag Scheme encourages patients to store all their personal, prescribed medication in a distinctive, sturdy green bag and bring it into hospital with them for both emergency and planned admissions.  

The medication can be used when patients are admitted to a ward and taken home again afterwards when the patient is discharged from hospital, reducing the risk of missing or delaying doses. 

With overall aims to improve patient safety, reduce drug costs and waste and accurately keep track of patients' medications, it also acts as a physical reminder for patients to bring all their medications to hospital, ensuring a smoother process for both patients and staff.  

Whilst green bags have been in place at the Trust for several years now, this new awareness raising campaign aims to educate the public and patients about the initiative to make bringing your medicines a regular part of anyone’s hospital check-list – bringing your medicines to hospital should feel as normal as checking off things like bringing in your slippers and pyjamas for a stay.

The campaign is part of a concerted effort by the Trust to improve the experiences of patients, putting the safety of their care at the heart of services once more.  

Laura McEnaney, Urgent Care Matron at the Trust said:

"We are excited to launch this new campaign that encourages patients to take an active role in their healthcare. 

“When patients bring their medications to hospital it allows our staff to know immediately what treatment they're on, ensuring continuity of care without delay - which is especially crucial for those with long term health conditions,” she explained. 

“Our goal is to make the patient journey as smooth as possible and having medicines available from the time of arrival at hospital, prevents missed doses which can hinder recovery and delay discharge.” 

Background information:

If patients are coming in for a planned procedure, they will receive a green bag at their pre-op appointment.

If they are coming into A&E as an emergency, a green bag will be provided by the ambulance crew.

If they self-present in A&E, they should bring all their medications with them and a green bag will be provided by the pharmacy team on ED. 

The green bag will be labelled with their name and NHS number and will be theirs to keep for if/when they are next admitted to hospital.