A fall in his Groomsport home, which required extensive hip surgery, saw Ron Ellis spend 13 weeks in Ards Hospital. A rugby player and keen swimmer for many years, Ron has credited the South Eastern Trust’s Physiotherapy Team with supporting his ongoing rehabilitation in the comfort of his own home.
Ron explained how such a simple act of returning a tea tray to the kitchen resulted in his fall. “My wife and I were having a cup of tea and I lifted the tray to take it to the kitchen. I stumbled and went down on my hip. My shoulder was also damaged, but the hip was the big one.”
The 88-year-old shared how he was hospitalised and needed surgery on his hip. “I said to the surgeon, ‘I’m in your hands’, and I got such good care. They really looked after me.”
Ron was discharged three weeks ago and has since been working with Trust Physiotherapist Artie McMullan on his mobility and rehabilitation.
Ron described the Physiotherapy service as “very good” and said he can “talk freely” with Artie about his personalised rehabilitation plan.
“Artie and I go on short walks around my living room and he can see how my legs and feet are positioning. After our session, I feel good. Having the Physiotherapist carry out the session at home is a great service.”
With their natural and relaxed rapport evident, South Eastern Trust Physiotherapist Artie McMullan said, “It is lovely to see Ron in his home, in familiar surroundings, improving his mobility and strength.
“Ron spent time in Ards Community Hospital. The rehabilitation Ron received in hospital is then followed up by our team at home.
“We look at things such as steps and the distance between areas of the home, for example from Ron’s chair to the kitchen. Our work is about helping Ron get stronger and return to his baseline mobility.
“There are a lot of benefits to community rehabilitation. A patient can feel more comfortable in their own home and it is almost a privilege for us to be able to see people in their own environment. The patient is inviting you in, so to speak, and you can really focus on the things that affect them most in their daily lives.
“A hospital setting is a very clinical environment. By coming into a patient’s home, you can see first-hand the layout and what that person is navigating, such as steps and stairs. You can then make their Physiotherapy plan truly personalised and specific to their needs.”