HYWEL Dda University Health Board is among the first in Wales to introduce a new approach to identifying and preventing hospital related decline, using an early warning tool designed to support patients to recover more quickly and maintain their independence.

The Deconditioning Early Warning Indicator (DEWI) helps staff recognise early signs that a patient may be losing strength, mobility or confidence during a hospital stay. This enables timely support to keep people active and independent throughout their care.

The aim is to help people leave hospital at the same level of independence they had before admission, or even at the level they had two weeks before they became unwell. The tool uses a structured set of indicators to build a picture of each patient’s abilities and identifies any changes early.

More than 650 patients have already been supported using the DEWI Tool during their hospital stay with early indications showing positive trends in maintaining or improving function during admission.

Across Hywel Dda, ward teams are embedding the tool into daily care, including the use of visual information boards and activities to encourage patients to remain active, engaged and independent.

Estelle Williams, Sister Acute Frailty Unit, Withybush Hospital, said: “From a ward perspective, the DEWI Tool has been really useful in helping our staff think about deconditioning as part of everyday care.

“It keeps things simple and focuses on practical actions we can take, like supporting patients to stay mobile, encouraging independence and paying attention to nutrition and hydration.

“It also fits nicely alongside the initiatives we already have in place, including the use of fortified milkshakes, bringing everything together in a more joined up way.”

James Severs, Executive Director of Allied Health Professions and Health Science said: “By identifying risks early and intervening promptly, we are helping patients recover faster and return home with greater confidence.”