On Thursday 3rd August, the Mayor of Runnymede, Cllr Iftikhar Chaudhri and our Chief Executive - Suzanne Rankin visited the Swan Ward for our lunch club get-together, which is a new initiative at the Trust to get patients socialising over lunch.
The Mayor said: “I have always loved this hospital and what I see happening here now is completely different to the past. I see huge improvements and I am very happy with that”.
The Mayor has chosen to support charities close to his heart which include the Neonatal Intensive Unit and the Critical Care Unit at St Peter’s Hospital.
Occupational Therapist Diana Sheridan explains: “Sitting at the table for meal times is part of most people’s normal everyday activity, but the ‘norm’ in hospital is often to eat your meals sitting in bed. For elderly patients who may be in hospital for some time, spending a lot of time in bed can result in ‘deconditioning’ – where they begin to lose their strength, mobility and confidence – ultimately, slowing down their return to independence. Our new motto is ‘sit up, get dressed and keep moving’. Helping patients to sit at a table and eat together provides social interaction, which is psychologically beneficial. It also provides a purposeful opportunity for movement.
Feedback from patients and their relatives has been excellent and it’s proving very popular.
Pictured above are staff members with The Mayor of Runnymede, Cllr Iftekhar Chaudhri and Suzanne Rankin, Chief Executive ASPH
