The support Stepping Hill Hospital staff and their partners give to patients with frailty was highlighted with a special week of activity on the ward.

‘Frailty Week’ saw a number of activities on the hospital’s specialist Acute Frailty Unit including chair exercises, singing sessions, quizzes, activities to get people dressed and moving, dietician talks and bake-offs.

One star visitor from was therapy dog Bertie with his owner Maria, organised with the help of the Pets As Therapy charity.

Pet therapy is a way of helping patients relax by the simple of means of letting them interact with friendly animals. It has been shown to release endorphins that produce a calming effect, and can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and provide psychological support.

Pet visits had to cease during the lockdown along with other visits, but thankfully they can now continue once more.

Sessions were also held around ‘Dressed is Best’, with patients being helped where possible and practical to get dressed and get moving, with the aim of helping their recovery and reducing the length of time people need to stay in hospital. Those who get into their day clothes and keep moving when they feel able to can often much better both mentally and physically. It can also prevent further health complications that come from being bed-bound for too long.

There were also visits from Age UK and their footwear slipper service to help reduce falls, and Wiltshire Farm Foods offering taster sessions to help highlight the importance of good nutrition and hydration in supporting physical and mental welllbeing.

Staff at the hospital’s Acute Frailty Unit ensure that frailer patients receive the specific support that they need.  The unit was launched in February 2021 to help prevent avoidable hospital admissions and reduce the length of stay for some of the most vulnerable people in the local population. It has a multidisciplinary approach with medical, nursing, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, pharmacist and other staff members working together to improve the patients’ experience and ensure high standards of care.

They run activities of this kind throughout the year at the hospital, but extra ones were organised during this week to highlight their importance. The final day in the week saw a special staff bake-off with patients helping with the cake decorating.

Adele Fowden, ward manager of the Acute Frailty Unit said “This week has been a really great showcase of the kind of activities we carry out to support patients with frailty. These patients have very specific needs and we’re glad to be able to give them the support that they need in ways which can be fun and enjoyable too.”