New role is a step in the right direction for elderly patients

An exciting new role to reduce patient falls and get patients moving has been given the go ahead in a bid to change the way mobility is treated at the Trust.

Aimed at physiotherapists and advanced occupational therapists looking for a step up, the promoting independence lead therapist role is the first of its kind and will see the successful candidate working across elderly care wards.

Lesley McDonagh, Clinical Lead Nurse for Corporate Nursing, said: “It’s so important that our patients are active and mobile so that they maintain their strength. Traditionally we will be hesitant to have a patient walk around, fearing they may fall.

“But in fact, research has told us that by keeping a patient mobile, it means they will strengthen and improve their balance –therefore reducing falls.

“This where this fantastic new role comes in. The person will be implementing change in the way that we care for our patients on a daily basis, promoting independence. They will have a key role in the multi-disciplinary team meetings advising nursing staff how patients should be encouraged to move and in what way they can do this, for example, a short trip to the sink to wash their hands.

“The person in post has a real opportunity here to develop this role into something that we’ve not seen here at the Trust before and I would urge anyone who is looking for that step up, and has a real drive to lead change, to apply.”

To find out more about the Band 7 role and apply, go to http://bit.ly/3JMnCVQ.