Have you got a "Grab bag" ?Everyone needs one!

What a good idea and such practical ideas for essentials. Thanks to all contributors. I will deal with this tomorrow.

Never heard of this...? You GNers are really organised!
Even though I have been in hospital 4 times in the past year, would never think of this.

I have one and would add to get a phone charger with a good long lead and possibly a power bank also (remembering to charge it periodically)
A soft wrap for round my shoulders or over my feet
My list of medication (VERY short now I have my shiny new hip ?) - I take the printed list that comes with my repeat prescription.

Surprising how many posters have a bag for their partner. Obviously trusting their dearly beloved to know just what they might need! Such loving trust…..

I had one when DH was ill and was constantly topping it up.
Current book he was reading
Glasses
Phone charger
Plus toiletries and medicines.

I know realise I should make one for me. Thanks for the reminder Yammy

I keep a grab bag for DH since his recent surgery. Whenever I take him to clinic appointments, the bag is in the boot of my car. Saved so much back and forth when it was decided on one occasion it was necassary for him to have a 24 hr overnight stay.

Normandygirl

Following an emergency admission last year where I had to wait 2 days for DH to locate and bring in "essentials" for me, I made up a grab bag. In it are;-
knickers
socks , my feet are always freezing in hospital!
travel tissues
travel toothpaste
toothbrush
nightie and thin cotton dressing gown
spare glasses, I was whisked off without mine.
soap leaves
small bottle of water
crossword book
notebook
pen
small purse with change
What do others put in theirs ?

I have a novel rather than crossword book.
A hair brush
Mini mirror
Lip salve
Deodorant
Travel shampoo
Mini concentrated bottle of squash as I don’t like tap water.
Flannels/towels

Thank you all for your replies and for adding things to the needed list . I must have missed the list on here suggesting a bag.
The key box is another good idea and water and a snack. He had been given nothing but a small plastic cup of water to take medication. He has to do it all again tomorrow but not as an emergency this time so we are hoping the Ct scan was good. Now do I keep the bag together and send it with him as they might keep him in?
Mary doll not smug gran "With it gran", and at last I am not dopey gran anymore.

My mother had one, she was always telling me where it was in an emergency and what was in it.
Brilliant idea……..however my mother had locked hers and we never found the key?

My hospital bag started out as a small hold-all but it now a very large bag, probably too big to fit into bed side lockers! My daughter knows where it is and I have a key safe which she can use to get in my house.

I think I have a pessimistic attitude on life!

What a good idea. Never thought of it before. Thank you.

Normandygirls
*baby wipes
*phone charger
*notebook
*pen
*bath and hand towel

I have had one for years, with a red ribbon around it, so that my family know exactly what it is.
I check it every so often, because I gone to hospital in an ambulance on a number of occasions.

Due to the fact that some of my medications are hospital ones, I have a typed up list with a note of repeats, non repeats, and those dispensed by the hospital. I also include the dosage, frequency and which condition it is for.

The last time I was rushed in, the receiving doctor said the list had saved so much time.
#smug gran!

Following an emergency admission last year where I had to wait 2 days for DH to locate and bring in "essentials" for me, I made up a grab bag. In it are;-
knickers
socks , my feet are always freezing in hospital!
travel tissues
travel toothpaste
toothbrush
nightie and thin cotton dressing gown
spare glasses, I was whisked off without mine.
soap leaves
small bottle of water
crossword book
notebook
pen
small purse with change
What do others put in theirs ?

Since DH died I have had a key safe fitted outside, DS and DD know the code along with a couple of neighbours. Having read this I will certainly get a “grab bag” sorted and an up to date list of medications as they change quite a bit and maybe out of date. When I was working we always advised our vulnerable women to have a grab bag packed . Never thought about it for myself but after a few health issues cropping up a good plan methinks !

I wish I’d had one a few months ago when all I did was go to an appointment with my doctor. Straight from there to the hospital. Didn’t come home for 24 hrs. All I had on me was my phone which obviously died after a few hrs.

One would have been so useful when a neighbour fell and was whisked away by ambulance. I hadn’t a clue where her essentials were and she was in too much pain to tell me clearly. I found things she needed eventually, feeling like a burglar as I searched. and took them to the hospital. So much easier if a bag had been packed ready. We have had them for a while, I view them as insurance and hope they will never be needed.

I know exactly where the right bag is and where everything required is too- so it would take me minutes to get ready.

Yes I do, following a thread on this site. Got some essentials in it plus an eye mask to aid sleep. I'll never forget seeing an elderly lady in a bed in my late Mum's ward struggling with daylight streaming in. Next day I took in an eye mask that I'd got in one of those freebie flight bags and left it for her (she had her eyes shut, possibly snoozing). Next time I saw her she was wearing it, albeit upside down ... Those little flight bags are handy for a couple of squeezes of toothpaste etc. Little travel items too, deodorant etc. I'm so glad I saw that thread, I feel more settled knowing I won't be caught unawares.

Thanks for this Yammy. Such a good idea, with the hope of course that it won’t be needed.

I hope your husband’s on the mend. ?

I've had one for quitè a few years. Could do with updating thiugh, I bet.

Yes, together with a supply of current meds for DH. Plus a charger for phone.

Several times on a routine Hospital clinic appointment, DH would be admitted. We are about 20 miles away, so it was recommended that not only did we have a bag packed, but that I keep it in the car permanently.

I have been in the position where I’m frantically searching around my mothers flat for toiletries, medication, nighties etc when she has been rushed off in an ambulance. We now have a bag packed with all the essentials, although I know she dibs into it. I suppose it’s a bit like a version of the bag you pack ready for hospital when you’re pregnant. It’s a great idea to have one ready, especially if you live alone.

I bought this up on here some months ago Yammy, and have collated everything, but still need to find a bag. My son lives an hour and a half away and I've still not got keys cut for him, another thing on my 'to do' list.

Best wishes to your husband for his recovery.