Patients with learning disabilities and autism visiting Ealing Hospital – run by London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) – can now receive free sensory care bags, thanks to a new initiative funded by its LNWH Charity.
The bags – containing earphones, an eye mask, fidget board, colouring book and crayons, a stress ball and a sensory bracelet – are designed to ease stress and overstimulation during hospital visits. Each bag also includes a tag that doubles as a referral prompt to the acute liaison team.
Hellen Odiembo, lead nurse specialist for learning disability & autism (LD&A), said: “The bags provide a welcome distraction and enable reasonable adjustment to Autistic or LD patients who may find waiting longer time or over stimulated environment challenging.”
She added: “I am one of only two learning disability nurses in the trust so this is a simple but effective tool nurses and LD/Autism Champions can give the patient to calm them and make hospital.The bag isn’t going to work for everyone but is useful for nurses with little or no experience of interacting with patients.”
The LD&A team, comprising just three staff, handles up to 35 referrals daily across three sites. Their work includes direct patient support, staff training, and contributing to multi-disciplinary team meetings.
LNWH Charity has funded 500 bags which will be distributed through designated LD&A champions in the hospital.
