A ‘Keeping Well in Hospital’ booklet, designed to promote independence, recovery and safer discharge has been launched by the South Eastern Trust.
The clear and accessible guide has been compiled using the experiences of hospital patients themselves.
The ‘guide has been developed to support patients, families and staff to recognise, prevent and reverse ‘deconditioning’ during hospital admission.
Deconditioning refers to the physical and functional decline associated with inactivity, prolonged bedrest and reduced engagement, particularly affecting older people and those with acute illness.
Evidence highlights significant impacts on mobility, continence, nutrition and independence following admission.
Allied Health Professions Assistant Director, Julie Alexander, explained, “The user-friendly booklet compliments the ‘Take Five’ health message, Move, Eat, Drink, Think, Connect and Engage, that encourages our patients to remain active, nourished, mentally engaged and socially connected throughout their stay. It includes practical advice, safety messages, and signposting to Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Dietetics and Speech and Language Therapy, when concerns arise.”
Julie added, “As part of South Eastern Trust’s focus on frailty, this resource supports safer care, independence, recovery and discharge planning, aiming to reduce functional decline, length of stay and avoidable complications.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our patients who shaped this resource through lived‑experience advice and to the Multidisciplinary Teams who supported its development.”