People across Grampian asked to get ‘Green Bag ready’ and bring medicines with them to hospital

NHS Grampian is asking people across the region to get ‘Green Bag ready’ and bring medicines with you if you are coming into hospital.

A patient medicine bag or 'Green Bag' is a reusable, re-sealable green bag for putting medicines in – ideally in their original packaging. It’s not a new scheme but it is being re-launched to promote patient independence and safety. It comes after a campaign to ‘Only Order What You Need’ was shared last year and is part of ongoing work to reduce medicines wastage across the region.

Laura Karim, Pharmaceutical Services Development and Improvement Manager for NHS Grampian, explained: “The Green Bag should be used to keep individuals’ regular medicines together in one place so that whenever you go into hospital, to outpatient clinics or GMED, staff know which medicines you are taking and how often.

“You can put any medicines you are taking regularly into your Green Bag, including herbal remedies, supplements, tablets, liquids, creams, inhalers, injections, patches or sprays. It means you will be less likely to miss any doses of medicines, it will go with you if you move between wards and the hospital pharmacy won’t over-prescribe the same medicines for you. You don’t have to use a Green Bag – any bag will do as the important thing is having all your medicines together ready to go – but it is handy as it’s very distinctive so everyone knows to look out for it and help you as needed.”

As well as being handed out at pre-assessment clinics and during admissions to hospital, Green Bags are now available for anyone to collect from their local pharmacy. Ambulance staff and GMED staff may also use Green Bags to collect individuals’ medicines in an emergency.

Superintendent Pharmacist Matthew Hamilton from Charles Michie’s Pharmacy in Aberdeen commented: “The Green Bag is a great initiative and we’re pleased to be able to offer them to anyone who would like to be prepared. I’d encourage people to keep them in an accessible place, out of reach of children and think of it as a helpful toiletry bag for all of your regular medicines. It’s particularly important for those who may be anticipating hospital stays, and we’re asking people to support elderly relatives who can benefit from being ‘Green Bag Ready’.

“Sometimes the simple ideas are the most effective and we hope it will help people to manage their medicines at home and reduce the risks of missing or delaying medicine doses when admitted to hospital.”

Laura added: “It’s good to feel prepared so it helps enhance the quality of care and overall patient experience too. When you’re ready to go home, it will also help us prevent delays with discharge and get you home more quickly.”

For more information, visit: www.nhsgrampian.org/greenbagscheme