United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust launches sensory bags at Lincoln, Boston, and Grantham hospitals to aid emergency patients

Lincolnshire’s hospitals are introducing sensory-friendly resource bags to aid patients in emergency care with sensory needs.

The United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust initiative at Lincoln, Boston, and Grantham hospitals begins this week, featuring bags designed to assist individuals with autism or learning disabilities who find hospital environments overwhelming.

These bags include noise-cancelling headphones, eye masks, stress balls, sensory chew bracelets, and colouring books with pencils.

Each bag also includes an easy-read leaflet and a feedback form for service improvement.

The bags were developed by safeguarding learning disability nurse Kerry Poberezniuk, dementia nurse specialist Zoe Chapman, and patient experience manager Sharon Kidd.

Their inspiration came from feedback provided by local patients who have faced challenges in emergency care settings.

David, a patient who contributed to the project, said: “These bags are really great and helpful. I wish they had been around the last time I came to A&E as they would have really helped me.”

Kerry Poberezniuk emphasised that the sensory-friendly bags are designed to create a calming environment for patients whose senses may become overwhelmed.

“Our new sensory-friendly bags are intended to help create a calm and safe space when senses become overwhelmed,” she said.

This initiative is particularly beneficial for those who arrive at the hospital without their own coping tools.

The bags have been funded by the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, which supports additional resources not covered by the NHS.

Charity manager Ben Petts said: “Nobody ever wants to visit an Emergency Department, but it is even more daunting and overwhelming for people with learning disabilities. We are proud to support these bags.”

Beneficial for those without personal coping tools, the bags are funded by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, which provides extras beyond NHS coverage.