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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put together a grab bag for A&E?

152 replies

Rainallnight · 01/01/2023 21:16

I’m not planning on going to A&E. And I’m the last person to be any sort of prepper - I’m barely on top of the laundry or anything!

But I’ve been thinking that if anyone in the family ends up in A&E, it’s going to be for a lonnnnnng time and it would be handy to be able to just grab a bag of stuff that would see you through.

I’m thinking at the most basic level stuff like phone charger, snacks, bottle of water, book. But then I find myself thinking pillow? Sleeping bag?

Has anyone done this?

(the backstory for the avoidance of later drip feeding is that I was at the GP yesterday and they briefly thought they needed to call an ambulance for me and my first thought was ‘bugger, I don’t have a phone charger on me’. I didn’t have to go in an ambulance and I’m fine).

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 01/01/2023 22:12

I did this recently because my elderly parents were in and out of hospital this year. They were often waiting on trolleys n A&E for days, and there’s not much food available sometimes.

I had-
Cartons of apple juice with straws (hydration and calories).
Water bottles with spouts.
mini packs of individually wrapped biscuits.

Mini packs of chocolate things (mini rolls were easy for them to eat)
Straws. Because they couldn’t sit up properly to drink tea etc.
A hoodie that doubled as a pillow and could go over their head to keep them warm and shade their eyes from overhead lights.
I wouldn’t go too mad with slippers etc. My mum’s went missing in A&E. slipper socks are better.

FACupcake · 01/01/2023 22:12

I totally have one. Two in fact as I have a little one for DC. I found that when I went to hospital with pneumonia/sepsis I had no idea what to pack as I was so ill, and DH packed me a bag. He did a great job but I found myself desperately needing a few things (lip balm!) when I was in hospital so I decided to make a grab bag for future use. It's a standard one though so not just for A&E.

The same thing happened when DC was a baby when we had to dash to the children's hospital and I was so stressed I struggled to get stuff together. It helps me mentally to know I'm ready if there is an emergency. But I am a bit of a prepper anyway so this is what I do.

Sparklingbrook · 01/01/2023 22:13

Realfastfoodie · 01/01/2023 22:10

Not unreasonable. But pack light, there’s no space and carrying stuff round can be a nightmare.

Definitely if every patient brought even half of the stuff mentioned they’d be lucky to have it all back when discharged.

FoodieToo · 01/01/2023 22:13

Assuming you would just do this if you didn't live with another adult capable of bringing what you need .

TortillaChipAddict · 01/01/2023 22:14

We have one but like previous posters it’s because my daughter has had a few trips to a and e in an ambulance in the past year. I mainly put it together because she has multiple food allergies and if she’s in for anaphylaxis they keep her in for at least eight hours, so I wanted to make sure we had some long life food I could bring with us as she wouldn’t be able to eat the hospital food.

EmmaEmerald · 01/01/2023 22:16

Honeyroar straws, thanks, I will add those.

EmmaEmerald · 01/01/2023 22:16

FoodieToo · 01/01/2023 22:13

Assuming you would just do this if you didn't live with another adult capable of bringing what you need .

Yes...but I dunno...if I lived with someone i might do it anyway.

luxxlisbon · 01/01/2023 22:19

I would just have DH pack a bag for me which he has done in the past when DD has been admitted. A grab bag is just a bit pointless imo if someone can just bring you the basics anyway.
Plus to have it ready specially for A&E is the least useful. You can’t guarantee you are heading to A&E from your own home and in a real emergency you probably aren’t thinking about someone going to bring your lip balm and pjs to the waiting room.

NoodleC · 01/01/2023 22:19

Great idea. I would also add some cash in coins, a pen and small notebook, mints, pashmina/scarf as can also be used as a blanket for kids. Wipes.

Merryoldgoat · 01/01/2023 22:20

When my youngest gets the ‘tell’ of the start of the barking cough I get a bag ready. I probably wouldn’t have one just on the off chance but wouldn’t think doing so was odd.

wobblymum1 · 01/01/2023 22:20

This is so interesting to me.
i have MAJOR health anxiety so not sure if it would feed my anxiety or not having a bag packed. My little one fevers very high and was recently in for some scary looking things (though in end it wasn’t), and I’m bruised from latest trip there. A grab bag would have Been So handy but I worry knowing it’s there will heighten my anxiety waiting to go there the next time I need to. hmmmmmm.

SilverHydrangea · 01/01/2023 22:21

I have had a good bag ever since my mum's health started to deteriorate and I was increasingly called at short notice. I spent many hours at the hospital with her, overnight on occasions and would often stay at her house until things stabilised. I kept it after she passed away and it has proved a godsend several times, most recently when I had a fall at home and broke my ankle. Mine contains PJ's, underwear and socks, toiletries, phone charger, some cash, and a bottle of water. Just need to grab my handbag, medication and Kindle.

Original poster
Rainallnight · 01/01/2023 22:22

FoodieToo · 01/01/2023 22:13

Assuming you would just do this if you didn't live with another adult capable of bringing what you need .

We’ve got two small DC so not always easy to do stuff like that. DP couldn’t necessarily get way to eg drop in a phone charger.

OP posts:
NoodleC · 01/01/2023 22:22

Another alternative to a bag would just be a list so anyone could pack for you.

Gilead · 01/01/2023 22:23

Health issues, have been in (and admitted) four or five times this year. I’m prone to sepsis so am not usually in A&E for long.
I have a bag with current meds, list of allergies, packet of biscuits, phone charger and other paraphernalia that’s been mentioned.
It is vitally important for both you and staff to know about allergies (particularly drug allergies) and whether you are on ‘card’ medications)or. Some blood thinners or steroids, obviously insulin. Anything where you are told to carry a card.

Andsoforth · 01/01/2023 22:25

I have one. I went through a very anxious phase and it helped to channel it into some practical things. I’ve been very glad of it on several occasions because I haven’t had to stop and think under pressure which isn’t my strong suit. But I’ve had exactly what I needed.

In the last year I grabbed it twice when I had to go to a&e with each of my dc with sports injuries, several times when I sat overnight with my terminally ill df in hospital, and twice in a&e on my own account.

Hopefully that’s just a particularly shitty year but every time I’ve reached for it I’ve been very grateful that I repacked it.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 01/01/2023 22:25

My elderly dm was in and out of hospital like a yo-yo for about 5 years before she passed away in September. We had a hold-all bag for her with slipper, underwear, nightgown, socks, toiletries etc. all set up. Inevitably she’d be in hospital for a few days to weeks at a time, so it was a handy starter kit.

FoodieToo · 01/01/2023 22:26

We have had numerous hospital stays and with 5 kids under 10 ( during those times ) we still managed to get requirements dropped in.

EmmaEmerald · 01/01/2023 22:29

FoodieToo · 01/01/2023 22:26

We have had numerous hospital stays and with 5 kids under 10 ( during those times ) we still managed to get requirements dropped in.

I haven't got anyone nearby who could do that for me. Depressing but c'est la vie.

Cj19877 · 01/01/2023 22:29

This is a great idea, DS was admitted from A&E and I really wish I had the following:

Glasses/spare contacts
Phone charger&power bank
Snacks, lots of snacks
Spare knickers
Deodorant
Baby Wipes
More nappies

FoodieToo · 01/01/2023 22:30

EmmaEmerald · 01/01/2023 22:29

I haven't got anyone nearby who could do that for me. Depressing but c'est la vie.

Show quote history

Of course, DH would just bring the kids in with him and drop a bag off at reception .

AliceMcK · 01/01/2023 22:31

Been in the spot a few times, I once got caught short taking 2yo dd for a gp appointment, gp called an ambulance straight away I didn’t even have the nappy bag or handbag with me as I didn’t think it was serious and was expecting to be home in 30mins, I didn’t even lock the house up 😬… So depending if me or a dc going it’s always:

One of my big handbags which I automatically put in the car when I go out even if I don’t need to use it, each has a hairbrush, deodorant, my pain meds & 3 days supply of my other meds, clean knickers, hand wipes, face wipes, masks & coin purse, this isn’t a big deal now as most machines take cards these days but I hate nit carrying cash.

Next bag is everything else I need to grab in a matter of seconds, nappies (if needed), if allergy child her milk, snacks, bottled water or water bottles, change of clothes for dc, warm hoodies, kids devices, charges and any comfort toys they would want.

Most I’ve needed is one night as DH brings everything else for longer stays the next day.

LouLou198 · 01/01/2023 22:31

We have had one for years, affectionately known in our house as the "oh fuck rucksack".
My dd was admitted to hospital via ambulance at just 2 days old, we had nothing with us so dh was faffing going back home to get stuff for us, which he could really have done without at such a stressful time. It's since come in handy several times when dc have needed to be sent up urgently to hospital due to asthma/infections.
Here is ours:

Phone charger
Cheap slippers (the type you get free from spa hotels)
Bottle water
Cereal bars
Travel mug (children's wards don't let adults have hot drinks without a lid)
Change for car park /vending machines
Wash bag with mini shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush and deodorant.
Book
PJ's and underwear for me and dc.

Thankfully as dc are now older we have not used for some time, but I think it is always to have one just in case, it has been very useful on several occasions.

Tabletable · 01/01/2023 22:31

I I went, I’d want a camping mattress and a pillow for the waiting room. I’d have been much more comfortable during the looong wait times be admitted.

NannyGythaOgg · 01/01/2023 22:32

I have a small prepacked overnight bag.

24 hours medication, including supplements
loungewear/pyjamas
clean knickers
cheap slippers and a pair of socks
neck pillow
small bag with moisturiser, tweezers and nail file. small bag with new manual toothbrush and travel size toothpaste. Flannel.
1 plug and 2 chargers (slightly different)