Community nurses from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust came up with the idea of a community kit bag in 2013. Frustrated by the inefficiency of using their car boot as on-the-go storage, they drew up plans for a compartmentalised bag that stored medical equipment in an orderly, hygienic way.
After prototypes, tests and consultations with nurses and infection control teams, that bag became a reality and they’re available to community nurses across the country.
What’s more, because we’re NHS-owned, every purchase helps fund patient care.
Our Story so far..
A bag is born
Dedicated community nurses within our Trust approached the Innovation Lead at NTH Solutions, the Trusts subsidiary, expressing their challenges with transporting equipment, maintaining tidy storage, and managing stock expiration. They shared some thoughts and ideas for a bag system that they thought could help alleviate these issues.
Collaborative Development Phase
Frontline NHS District Nurses, IPC Teams, and specialists engaged in collaborative efforts to develop the Community Kit Bag, ensuring its suitability for diverse healthcare needs.
Prototype Testing and Refinement
We undertook thorough testing and refinement processes to ensure the Community Kit Bag meets the practical demands of healthcare professionals, including supporting Infection, Prevention and Control.
Official Launch
In 2020, with a Commercial Team now in place, NTH Solutions was able to officially introduce the fully developed Community Kit Bag to other Trusts, marking a significant milestone in advancing community healthcare practices.
Nationwide Adoption
The Community Kit Bag begun gaining traction among NHS employees across the UK in 2021, reflecting its immediate positive impact on community healthcare. This included the launch of it’s Twitter (now X) channel where nurses quickly created storm of online positive conversation about the system.
NHS Community Nursing Team Endorsement
The NHS Community Nursing Team at a national level, led by Senior Nursing Lead Sam Sherrington, formally endorses our Community Kit Bag. Sam Sherrington provides ongoing narrative support, highlighting the bag’s effectiveness in improving efficiency and patient care. This endorsement solidifies our commitment to enhancing community healthcare practices across the nation.
Product Range Development
We expanded the Community Kit Bag range during 2021-2022, introducing variations such as a rucksack version and a wheeled version, catering to different preferences and needs in response to customer feedback.
Award Recognition
Following recognition in Forbes magazine, our Community Kit Bag received its first international orders, leading to a partnership with Australian distributor, Cobalt Healthcare. This expansion marks a significant step towards addressing global healthcare challenges.
International Expansion
Following recognition in Forbes magazine, our Community Kit Bag received its first international orders, leading to a partnership with Australian distributor, Cobalt Healthcare. This expansion marks a significant step towards addressing global healthcare challenges.
Tailored Solutions
In 2023, we introduced new accessories to the Community Kit Bag range, including a kneeling pad, a smaller compact version, and a larger boot bag with 6 inserts rather than 4, enhancing versatility and functionality.
Future Outlook
With over 8000 community nurses now relying on our Community Kit Bag, we continue to innovate. We conduct annual focus groups, gathering invaluable insights for further enhancements. Regular appearances at NPAG and Nursing Live events draw massive crowds to our stand, showcasing our commitment to advancing community healthcare.