Patients, staff and international visitors came together at hospitals across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde this week to celebrate a simple message at the heart of the Active Wards programme – ‘Get up, Get Dressed, Get Moving’.
Active Wards Day shines a spotlight on the work taking place across NHSGGC to help patients stay physically, mentally and socially active during their hospital stay, supporting rehabilitation, independence and recovery while encouraging families and carers to play an active role too.
The Allied Health Professional (AHP) Team at the Vale of Leven Hospital have introduced two weekly groups for patients to attend, one of which is exercise based and the other activity based. This is in addition to patients’ 1:1 rehabilitation sessions.
To celebrate Active Wards Day, an additional group was facilitated by the team which saw staff, patients and rehab volunteers come together to celebrate the ongoing work to make the hospital more active.
Patients from older people’s and stroke services took part in a range of activities designed to promote movement, social interaction and wellbeing – providing just one example of how Active Wards principles are helping patients across the health board.
From balloon games and movement exercises to quizzes and group activities, the atmosphere was lively and welcoming. But staff say the day was about much more than a one-off event.
For Helensburgh resident Jan Watson, who has spent the past three weeks in hospital, the benefits are clear.
“I loved today – events like these really make the day go so quickly,” she said.
“It’s a really good idea, keeping both our bodies and brains active.
“Keeping my activity levels up means I’m more prepared for when I go home. It makes me feel so much more confident about that.”
Taff Hughes, also from Helensburgh, has only been in the Vale for a couple of days but has already embraced the activities on offer.
“I’ve found being here no bother at all,” he said. “I’ve already made lots of pals and events like this really help.
“I think I’ll keep coming to the classes – I’ve really enjoyed today. It’s good to get out of the ward and get active.”
Behind the event lies years of work to embed Active Wards principles into everyday care. At the Vale, staff have developed a range of initiatives to encourage patients to remain mobile and independent, from walking routes and exercise resources to rehabilitation volunteers, goal-setting tools and activities designed to keep patients engaged outside formal therapy sessions.
Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist Carly Johnstone said Active Wards is about far more than exercise alone.
“This is a real celebration of the work we’re doing with older people,” she said.
“Active Wards is something we’ve been chipping away at for a number of years, and it’s great to use days like this to focus on how far we’ve come.
“The principle behind this is not just exercise. We look at the bigger picture – socialising, stimulation and meaningful activity. It can be crosswords, a piece of music or simply spending time with other people.
“We want to encourage people to get up, get active and get involved.”
The programme aims to help patients maintain mobility, confidence and independence during their stay in hospital, while also supporting mental wellbeing and reducing the risk of deconditioning.
Advanced Frailty Physiotherapist Emma Wilson said: “It’s so nice to see everyone so keen and the patients so motivated.
“But while today is a lovely celebration, it’s important to remember this is what we do every day on our wards.
“There’s also an important educational aspect to our work – helping families and carers to understand how they can support their loved ones.”
Practice Development Physiotherapist Juliet Harvey said Active Wards is helping to change perceptions about what being in hospital should look like.
“Active Wards is about changing people’s mindset about being in hospital and changing relatives’ mindset too,” she said.
“Patients and families have an active role in this. Even small changes can make a huge difference for people.
“One of the really valuable things is how we learn from each other and share ideas. So much of this is about spreading knowledge and enthusiasm.”
The event was also attended by Christina Ekegren, a researcher from Monash University in Australia, who spent the day visiting Active Wards initiatives across NHSGGC.
Christina first met Juliet at a symposium in New Zealand and took the opportunity to visit while travelling in Europe to learn more about the health board’s approach.
“I’ve found it amazing – really inspiring,” she said.
“I have to hand it to the teams here. Their level of knowledge and what they’ve put in place is great to see.
“It’s really a testament to the amount of work that has gone into this.
“There is a growing international interest in this area and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is really driving forward practical work that helps patients. It’s been fantastic to see.”
Alongside activities taking place at the Vale and other hospital sites across NHSGGC, Active Wards Day offered an opportunity for staff to share learning and celebrate work that helps patients remain physically, mentally and socially active throughout their stay in hospital.
And while the activities brought colour, fun and energy to the wards, the message at the heart of the programme remained a simple one.
As Carly said: “We want to encourage people to get up, get dressed and get moving.”
