Hospital offers sensory bags to patients in A&E

Sensory activity bags are now available for patients with learning disabilities or autism visiting the emergency department.

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust says the bag contains items including ear defenders, activity books and simple communication aids to help patients who feel nervous in hospital surroundings.

The trust said learning disability and autism lead nurse, Lauren Bowler, along with ED nurses Jenny Oloo and Sonia Toombs, approached the Royal Surrey Charity for help funding the sensory bags.

Bowler explained visiting the emergency department could be "overwhelming".

"But for some of our patients, it can be particularly stressful because of the noise, crowds, bright lights, and unfamiliar surroundings," she said.

Bowler added the sensory bags were designed to make the experience calmer and "more manageable" for patients.

The trust says the communication aids were to help patients express how they felt and assisting staff and carers to better understand their needs.

Bowler added: "Many patients arrive at the emergency department unexpectedly and may not have the familiar items with them that usually help them feel safe and settled."

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