Stepping Hill Hospital received a visit from a leading national nurse, who came to see their efforts on getting patients out of bed and moving.

Professor Brian Dolan is the Visiting Professor of Nursing at Oxford Institute for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Research and creator of the ‘End PJ Paralysis’ NHS campaign, which stresses the health benefits of encouraging patients to get up, get dressed and moving while in hospital where possible.

Older patients in particular who stay longer in bed are at greater risk of infection and muscle wastage, with a week in bed leading to muscles wasting by 10%. More active patients can often recover quicker and return home sooner.

Professor Dolan attended a presentation from nursing and therapist staff on patient safety, and how they are getting patients moving; encouraging them that ‘dressed is best’.

Staff also presented on steps they are taking to cut down mortality rates from sepsis, where a patient’s reaction to infection causes damage to their organs.

Professor Dolan said “I was very impressed to see the efforts which Stepping Hill Hospital is taking to keep patients more active and to help reduce preventable deaths due to sepsis. There’s a real team effort at work here which is inspiring to see. What was striking was the passion staff have for making care even better for the people of Stockport, their respect and support for each other, and their pride in the organisation.”