Staff at Withybush Hospital are supporting a national campaign that they believe will help patients recover quicker when staying in hospital.

The #EndPJparalysis campaign is being adopted by NHS organisations across the UK and has some very simple messages for patients: ‘Get up, dressed and moving’; ‘eat meals away from beds’; and ‘visit day rooms.’

John Evans, Withybush Hospital’s general manager, explained what this means for people when they need to stay overnight.

“#EndPJparalysis is all about encouraging patients to get dressed and mobile as soon as they can to help maintain their dignity and to help them recover quicker,” he said.

“To achieve this we need patients to pack the items they rely on every day at home for their stay in hospital. This includes day clothes and shoes, their regular medication and items such as hearing and walking aids, glasses and dentures.

“We no longer want patients to think of their stay in hospital as time in bed. If you are well and able to, we will be asking you to get up, get dressed and be active.”

Immobile patients can lose two to five per cent of their muscle strength every day they are in bed. Being immobile can also develop confusion, pressure sores, incontinence, loss of confidence and fatigue. Many patients lose the ability to carry out routine daily functions like washing, dressing, getting out of bed and walking, due to unnecessary bed rest.

For an older person, a loss of muscle strength and exercise tolerance can make the difference between dependence and independence.

Information on what to pack for a stay in hospital is available on Hywel Dda UHB’s website via this link: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/page/41207