Recondition the Nation
Patients and staff at University Hospitals of North Midlands are being invited to take part in the national Recondition the Nation campaign to help support and empower people in their care to keep active.
Inspired by UHNM’s own Sit Up, Get Dressed and Keep Moving campaign, Recondition the Nation is about preventing deconditioning by encouraging everyone to try innovative and fun ways to promote physical activity and emotional well-being.
By taking small steps to reduce the harms of deconditioning, the independence of people can be improved and help people get home from hospital sooner.
Staff at Royal Stoke and County Hospitals, together with their patients, are encouraged to develop innovative and fun ideas to help people stay active and win medals in the process. More than 300 medals have been awarded nationally since November, with numbers of participating teams growing weekly. Medals are available to individuals, teams and organisations as well as informal carers, family members and anyone who is keen to make a difference. You can apply for medals here.
Dr Amit Arora, the UHNM Consultant Geriatrician behind ‘Sit Up, Get Dressed and Keep Moving’ said: “We want to help healthcare professionals recognise the long term effects of deconditioning, implement simple measures to prevent it, and educate patients and carers about the importance of remaining active during hospital admission and following discharge.”
In recent years ‘deconditioning syndrome’ has gained increased recognition among the medical community, aided by ‘Sit Up, Get Dressed and Keep Moving’ and the related campaign #EndPJparalysis. Research has shown that during hospitalisation, between 30% and 55% of older patients show a decline in the ability to perform routine activities such as bathing, getting dressed and toileting, and up to 65% of hospitalised older adults experience a decline in ambulatory function.
These changes can lead to a loss of independence and the need for residential care. Deconditioning syndrome is also associated with a variety of physiological effects including pneumonia, skin breakdown leading to pressure ulcers, constipation, incontinence, depression and an increased risk of falls.
A number of ‘Sit Up, Get Dressed and Keep Moving’ resources explaining the benefits of staying active and illustrated guides outlining chair and bed-based exercises aimed at maintaining and gaining muscle strength, improving blood circulation, helping mobility progression and supporting overall recovery are available here.
Dr Arora added: “These resources are designed to be simple, accessible, and relevant to all health professionals regardless of role, specialty, or previous experience. I look forward to seeing how people in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent are getting involved.”