New property bags and food supplies are being given to some patients leaving Walsall Manor Hospital, thanks to charity funding.
Since the bags were introduced, staff say the discharge process has become much smoother while also providing extra support for those who need it.
The patient property bags have been introduced in the Discharge Lounge to ensure patients’ belongings are kept together and clearly identified. Previously, property arriving from wards could be packaged in a variety of ways, making it more difficult to manage.
The clearly identifiable bags help staff organise patients’ belongings more efficiently and make it easier for hospital transport teams to identify and collect the correct property when people are discharged.
The Discharge Lounge has also introduced dedicated food bags, which are used to provide supplies for patients who need additional support when leaving hospital. Using donated food from Blessed2bless, staff prepare parcels that offer practical help and add a personal touch to each patient’s discharge experience.
Both types of bags have been funded by Well Wishers, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s charity, helping to improve patients’ experience.
Rachel Dawson, Senior Sister in the Discharge Lounge, said: “These bags are making a real difference to both patients and staff.
“The patient property bags help us keep belongings together and make the discharge process more efficient, particularly when patients are travelling home using hospital transport.
“The food bags also allow us to present donated food parcels in a thoughtful way, giving patients a little extra support as they leave hospital.”
Georgie Westley, Well Wishers Fundraising Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be able to fund these property and food bags, which are a simple but effective way of improving the experience for patients as they leave hospital.
“At Well Wishers, we’re proud to support projects that make a practical difference to patient care and help staff in their day-to-day work. These bags are a great example of how charitable donations can have a direct impact, making the discharge process smoother while ensuring patients feel cared for and supported as they return home.”