A SMALL change is having a big impact on care home residents in Bradford and across Yorkshire.

When a resident becomes unwell and is assessed as needing hospital care, care home staff pack a dedicated red bag that includes the resident’s standardised paperwork and their medication.

Carole Lavelle, Director of Nursing and Quality for NHS England in Yorkshire and the Humber said: "The contents of the red bag can tell those treating the patient all they need to know, cutting down on delays and making the experience of a hospital stay easier.”

The red bag ensures that ambulance and hospital staff can quickly understand a resident’s condition and personal needs – as well as facilitate a smooth transfer back to their ‘home’ environment.