Patients will be helped back on the road to recovery sooner thanks to a new Rehabilitation Unit at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.
Leverington Rehabilitation Unit has been set up to provide extra support for patients who are medically fit but cannot be discharged as they are having problems with their mobility.
The dedicated team of nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists are providing one-to-one support to help patients improve their strength and mobility before returning to their own homes.
Leverington opened its doors on Monday, September 26, and is already making an impact on patients.
Ward Manager Michelle Lawrence said: “I am really pleased with how the unit is going so far. We have had a great response from patients along with other staff in the hospital.
“Our aim on Leverington Rehabilitation Unit is to make sure our patients are in a position to go back to their own homes rather than going onto further residential care. Our nursing team work closely with our colleagues in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy to make sure that happens.”
Leverington Rehabilitation Unit, which is next to Marham Ward, has a total of 13 beds and aims to provide care for 10 to 14 days for patients who are medically fit for discharge but require extra support.
Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists will work with patients, of all ages, daily on various exercises to help with mobilisation.
Dorothy Hosein, Chief Executive, said: “As winter approaches, the hospital is facing one of its busiest times so units like Leverington are the key to ensuring that our patients receive the right care, in the right place.
“This year, the hospital has seen record numbers of patients arriving at the Emergency Department for treatment, but, with our colleagues at West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group, we have plans in place which will hopefully meet the challenges ahead.
“The hospital is supported with extra beds in the community, the criteria for the virtual ward has changed and we have also developed a fast discharge process.
“Leverington is also going to play a pivotal role in this process by ensuring that medically fit patients are supported to a level that ensures they can be discharged home while freeing up beds on the medical and surgical wards. This maximises the use of what was our escalation ward. This is one of the strategies we have in place as we strive towards our goal of excellence.”
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