'Commonhealth Games’ helps boost patients’ wellbeing
Hospital patients have battled it out at a special sports day.
Broomfield Hospital patients enjoyed an afternoon of activities at therapy sports day, helping to increase movement and improve wellbeing.
The day was organised by the St Andrew’s therapy team who play an important role in rebuilding strength and increasing function in burns and plastics patients.
It took place at the start of the Commonwealth Games, with the day including a mix of seated and standing activities, specifically tailored to the different abilities of patients.
Kimberley Dutton, Senior Occupational Therapist, said: “These ‘Commonhealth Games’ have really helped lift the mood and spirits of patients, whether they took part or were cheering others on. It’s been lovely to see a smile on their faces, but although it was a lot of fun there was also a really important aspect to it as well.
“Movement is so important in a patient’s recovery, and as therapists we use activity as a way of increasing this, so we carefully planned activities such as hoopla, table tennis and mini-golf to work on their upper and lower limbs.”
Patients from other areas of the hospital were also invited to take part, and one of those was David Jarvis, 95, who had a go at mini-golf. He said: “I’ve really enjoyed spending time outside of the ward, and the golf activity was particularly fun. An afternoon well spent.”
The success of the event has meant the team are now planning to run the sports day again next year, with hopes to turn it into an even bigger occasion, including new equipment and involving more patients.