A FREE talk on reducing the use of pyjamas as a patient uniform in hospitals to help them return to a normal routine is open to members of the public this month.

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust will discuss the "End PJ paralysis/Last 1000 days" initiative during a talk at Rochdale Infirmary on February 13.

The talk explains the way ward staff are embracing the national initiative to help patients recover quicker, regain their independence and to help patients return to normal routines for discharge out of hospital.

The movement aims to shift culture among NHS staff, patients and their relatives so instead of patients being in pyjamas or a hospital gown, they are, where clinically appropriate, encouraged to get in their own clothes each day, just as they usually would at home.

Other activities to help to keep patients independent and improve their experience are also encouraged, for example, reassuring our patients to wash and dress independently, walk to the toilet, meals eaten whilst sitting in chairs or social dining settings.

Recent studies have shown that ten days in bed can lead to ten years of ageing in the muscles of people over the age of 80; however, the effects of deconditioning are not restricted to elderly patients. Patients spending long periods in a hospital bed can also result in loss of confidence, inability to do everyday tasks and can put them at an increased risk of falls.

Alison Schofield (QI Project Manager) at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group which oversees Salford Royal and Pennine Acute Trusts who will be giving the talk, said:

“The End PJ Paralysis work has been the first Alliance wide Quality Improvement collaborative.

"The campaign was originally launched by Professor Brian Dolan and colleagues who highlighted the impact of patient’s well-being when waiting to leave hospital. Awareness events were held at sites across the Alliance and attended by colleagues from different roles and grades. There are so many different teams across the Alliance committed to this collaborative; all of which have demonstrated their enthusiasm with many tests of change by frontline staff to improve patient experience."

To date, 86 wards across the Alliance (Salford Royal and Pennine Acute Trusts), are engaged with the initiative.

The talk will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm in Room D3, the Education Centre, Rochdale Infirmary, Whitehall Street, Rochdale, OL12 0NB

The event is free and is one of a series of ‘Medicine for Members’ events

To book your place contact Angela Greenwood on 01706 517302 or email membership@pat.nhs.uk