This means we are encouraging patients and staff to be physically active.
Physical activity can help us feel better and improve our health. Small increases in physical activity can make a difference.
The two-year national pilot ran from October 2020 to November 2022 and the trust’s report evaluating the progress made can be read here.
However, this is not the end for Active Hospitals at Northumbria Healthcare and work will be continuing to build on the projects delivered so far and to continue helping patients and staff understand the benefits of physical activity and moving more.
Active wards
One of the initiatives to help our inpatients stay active and engaged was an active ward. This was piloted on one ward at North Tyneside General Hospital. It has now rolled out onto many wards.
We are monitoring patient and staff feedback, which is demonstrating a range of benefits. Patients are less lonely and bored, while staff feel greater job satisfaction.
We hope that we can embed this way of working which would enable us to change the culture on the wards to enhance the care that we provide.
You can see a patient leaflet about our active wards here.
You can watch this video to find out how our active wards work:
Find out more about the role of an active ward champion here:
Hear from a patient who shares her experience of an active ward:
Here are some seated excercises you can do:
Useful links
Being active can be a challenge when you are managing a long-term condition. For ideas on how to make moving work for you, visit the ‘We are undefeatable’ website.
If you enjoy walking, PACE-UP is a 12-week programme to build up the amount you walk.
For general advice, the NHS Better Health website helps you to make little changes to your daily life including ideas to get active.
For more information on services in your area visit the MECC (Making Every Contact Count) Gateway.
Physical Activity Clinical Champions (PACC) Training
More than 500 staff across Northumbria Healthcare and beyond have been PACC trained. It's aimed at all healthcare professionals who want to increase their knowledge in having conversations around physical activity linked to personalised care.
The staff who have been PACC trained say they've gained confidence in having conversations about physical activity with their patients.