Encouraging our patients to stay as active as possible can help them reduce the time it takes them to recover from illness or injury.
It is known that if patients are inactive and stay in bed all day whilst in hospital this can lead to a decline in mobility and muscle strength.
Colleagues at our Trust have done a tremendous job trying to get our patients moving by donating to a clothing scheme called Donate 2 Motivate.
Wearing clothes such as trousers, joggers and tops during the daytime rather than pyjamas in hospital, helps patients maintain their normal routine which can help prevent deconditioning in hospital.
Hospital associated deconditioning can happen when patients are inactive and stay in bed all day. This can lead to a decline in mobility and muscle wastage with as much as 10% being lost in the first seven days of a hospital admission for those aged 80 and over.
Our aim is to improve patient experience by sourcing clothing for patients who may not have access to any in hospital. This is to help motivate them to get up, get dressed and get moving.
Our staff have been brilliant in rising to the challenge, but now that they have emptied their wardrobes the volume of donations has reduced. That is why the scheme has now been opened to the public.
If you are popping to hospital for an appointment and can donate, please do – it will be greatly appreciated and will make such a difference for our patients.
Please remember to take along comfortable day clothes and other essentials, if you are visiting a loved one in hospital.
Suitable clothing can be placed in purple wheelie bins located on the ground floor patient and staff seating area (close to the conservatory) at Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) and on the approach to the Mytton Oak restaurant at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (by the public toilets).
Good luck to colleague Julia Johnson who is taking on a 125-mile walk challenge next month to raise money for a new Critical Care “sky garden” which is being built as part of the Hospitals Transformation Programme (HTP).
Julia, a Critical Care Practice Education Facilitator, is raising funds for SaTH Charity by walking the coast of Anglesey.
The money will go towards a new outdoor “sky garden” for the new Critical Care Unit at RSH, providing a safe and enjoyable space, with seating, shelter, and landscaping.
Julia is hoping to raise £5,000. If you would like to donate, please see her JustGiving page.
Finally, routine phlebotomy appointments (blood test) will temporarily be unavailable at PRH until the end of March due to service availability and workforce pressures.
Appointments provided by the Trust will only be available from the following locations: Community Diagnostic Centre, Hollinswood House, Telford, TF3 3DD; William Farr House, Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 8XL and Whitchurch Community Hospital, Claypit Street, Whitchurch, SY13 1NT.
Urgent and specialist testing appointments remain available at PRH as required. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
If you need to book a blood test, you can do so by visiting: Book a blood test online – SaTH.
If you require an urgent appointment, as requested by your healthcare professional, this can be arranged via the telephone booking line on 01743 492510.