The Red Bag Pathway Scheme reduces the strain on medical services by minimising the time taken for ambulance transfers, A&E assessments and reduces the number of avoidable hospital admissions. It is also designed to fulfil the requirements of the NICE guideline NG27.
The Challenge
Following a pilot scheme in the London Boroughs of Sutton & Kingston, Greenwich/Bexley Clinical Commissioning Group rolled out the Red Bag scheme in May 2018. The scheme was utilised by Care Homes and Hospitals but the Red Bags were being misplaced and vital ongoing care and financial investment was being impacted.
Versapak, in consultation with Greenwich CCG, needed to adapt and enhance the Red Bag to resolve the issue of future misplaced bags.
The Solution
Versapak designed a bespoke Red Bag with options for clear labelling and tracking and tracing to avoid the bags getting lost or ending up in the wrong borough. For extra security it is manufactured with a tamper evident locking mechanism which when sealed using a T2 security seal ensures that the contents remain secure. The Versapak Red Bag incorporates VersaShield Antimicrobial protection on the internal and external surfaces, handle, zip puller and locking mechanism. This is vital to protect vulnerable individuals.
What is happening now?
South London Councils and CCG’s now use the Versapak Red Bag and are pleased with the design. Versapak also supported education stalls to inform the nurses within Lewisham University Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Greenwich about the scheme.
Stephanie Watts, Commissioning Manager for South East London CCG said “Thanks to Versapak, we have been able to promote the Red Bag Pathway at event stalls in hospitals within our borough. With their assistance, we produced Red Bag tags, pens and mugs for communicating the key principles of the scheme. Versapak has been invaluable, supporting our work communicating across our organisation.”
To find out more information regarding the Versapak Red Bag, click here.
