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Picture of man in own clothes walking in hospital
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Getting dressed can help you ‘get your spark back’

We are encouraging patients across our hospitals to get out of bed, get dressed and get moving as soon as they feel well enough, as part of the #EndPJparalysis national campaign.

Getting up helps people regain their strength and mobility faster, while staying in bed has a detrimental effect on muscle strength and wearing pyjamas or gowns can reinforce someone’s feeling of being sick and prevent them recovering. That’s why #EndPJParalysis was launched by Professor Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer for England earlier this year.

“Studies show that three-in-five immobile, older patients in hospital had no medical need for bed rest and doubling the amount of walking while in hospital helped patients get home sooner,” said Chief Nurse and Director of Quality at East Kent Hospitals, Sally Smith. “In short, getting up, getting dressed and moving helps you get your spark back and feel yourself again faster.”

Five wards in East Kent Hospitals are taking part in a 70-day national initiative to boost recovery rates by achieving one million recorded ‘patient days’ of patients being up, dressed and on their feet across the UK. This is running in NHS hospitals from 17 April to 26 June.

Hospital staff are encouraging patients who are well enough to get up, dressed and moving by midday each day.