Press release – 20 April 2018
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Wye Valley NHS Trust (WVT) is appealing to relatives, carers and friends of patients to help support anational campaign to get patients up and dressed to improve their mobility and recovery, by bringing in their loved ones own clothes and slippers. 

The national End PJ Paralysis 70 day challenge, which runs from 17 April to 26 June, aims to achieve 1 million patient days of patients being up dressed and mobilised, where possible.  

Research has shown that the time patients spend in bed reduces strength, mobility and overall independence, resulting in longer hospital stays, particularly for elderly people.   In addition to the physical impact, wearing pyjamas can reinforce the feeling of being unwell. 

Staff at the Trust put on their pyjamas on Tuesday April 17 to mark the launch of the national End PJ Paralysis campaign. 

The campaign has been rolled out across the wards at Hereford County Hospital, Leominster, Ross-on-Wye and Bromyard Community Hospital.  It includes a relative’s checklist on what to bring into hospital for patients to help their recovery. 

Director of nursing at WVT, Lucy Flanagan, said: “We are delighted to get involved in this campaign to help patients recover more quickly.  This builds on the work we are already doing to improve patient care and experience. 

“In July last year, we made a commitment at our Annual General Meeting to ensure we make every day count for our patients whilst they are in our care and we have launched several initiatives as part of this. 

“We’re encouraging relatives and friends to support their loved ones and the Trust to break the culture that being in hospital means you must stay in bed or be in pyjamas. 60 per cent of patients are not prescribed bed rest for the condition they have come into hospital for, yet remain in bed or do not get up and dressed during their stay. 

“For that reason we are looking to ensure patients’ mobility does not deteriorate whilst they are in our care and we can do this by simply supporting patients to get up, get dressed and get moving when it is safe to do so. 

“Relatives and friends can help by ensuring their loved ones have items such as: day clothes, slippers, washbag, glasses, hearing aid, and books or magazines.  Please talk to the staff looking after your loved one to find out more”. 

The national challenge was formally launched on 7 March by Professor Jane Cummings Chief Nursing Officer for England and championed by Pete Gordon Senior NHSI Improvement Manager, Emergency Care Improvement Programme and Professor Brian Dolan who was the creator of #last1000days and #EndPJParalysis health campaigns. 

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Lucy Flanagan, director of nursing at WVT (in red uniform) and healthcare staff mark the launch of End PJ Paralysis campaign.