A care scheme which first started in Sutton is being rolled across the country following initial success.

The ‘red bag’ scheme for care home residents, which began in the borough three years ago, is now going out across England.

Roughly half (50 percent) of health and wellbeing boards in the country have started the project while more than 90 percent will roll it out next year, according to Sutton Council.

Eothen Homes, in Worcester Road, was the first to adopt the scheme in Sutton and manager Kim Kerwood said: “The red bag is a simple idea that makes a big difference.

“On the day it was launched, one of our residents fell and we suspected that sadly he might have a fracture.

“The resident and red bag went off to hospital and, to our delight, two weeks later he returned home fit and well and, importantly, with the red bag complete with a discharge letter and medication.

“The scheme is a great step forward in the care we provide for our residents.”

Paperwork, medication and personal items – such as glasses, slippers, and dentures – go with the red bag which are then given to ambulance crews by carers.

This equipment travels with the patients to hospital which are then taken on by their doctor.

So far in Sutton this has reduced hospital stays by up to four days and saved £167,000-per-year, according to the council.

In addition, it has helped stop patients from losing personal items – like dentures, glasses, and hearing aids worth £290,000 in a year.

Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England national medical director, said: “This is an example where a joined-up approach is helping to improve patient care and speed up a stay in hospital for all the right reasons.

“Sometimes it’s the personal touch that makes a big difference to patients, especially if they’re elderly.

“The red bag helps people feel reassured and more at home.

“Doing more of the obvious is key to improving all our experiences of care.”