HEALTH bosses are urging patients going into hospital to take all their usual medication with them in a distinctive green plastic bag.

The bags are being used across Essex to make sure clinicians can see immediately what pills and medicines the patient has been taking and that they will not adversely affect anything prescribed in the hospital. These can be ones prescribed by a GP, over-the-counter medicines or herbal remedies.

Experienced pharmacy staff at the hospital will check that medicines are still in date and suitable for use. If it is appropriate patients will continue taking their usual medicine during their stay. Any remaining or newly prescribed items will be put in the green bag for them to take home.

The sealable bags, which come in two sizes, are available free of charge in hospital pharmacies, clinics, walk-in centres and surgeries. They are also being sent out to some patients with their admission letter. All hospitals and ambulance crews throughout the county are signed up to the scheme.

West Essex Primary Care Trust's head of medicines management Anurita Rohilla said: "Ideally patients should keep their medicines in a green bag at all times. That way they can be easily picked up and brought in to hospital by themselves or a carer or in an emergency by a member of ambulance staff."