Wellbeing for the Time Being Wellbeing for the Time Being is a prehabilitation programme which is delivered in partnership with County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) & Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP). The Wellbeing for the Time Being programme has been designed to support patients across County Durham who are currently awaiting elective surgery or planned cancer treatment/surgery. The programme promotes waiting well, and supports people while waiting for their treatment and/or surgery.
Why is Prehabilitation (Prehab) important? Prehab means getting ready for your treatment or surgery before it has happened. It supports you to prepare well, both mentally and physically through a structured programme that is tailored to your individual needs. Mental Wellbeing
Physical Health
The evidence for prehab is continuing to grow. Patients and healthcare professionals alike are seeing real benefits from preparing for treatment/surgery. Preparing yourself for treatment/surgery through exercise, nutrition and improving general wellbeing promotes: Improvement of treatment outcomes Ability to recover quicker Lesser complications and health and care resource utilisation Speed up your recovery (and return to work)
Enhance your quality of life Promote your long term health and wellbeing, reducing the chance of hospital readmissions and/or further treatment surgery Most recent findings indicate, that even taking part in a few weeks of prehab sessions can make a difference to your health outcomes post treatment/surgery.
Who delivers the Programme? The Wellbeing for the Time Being programme is delivered by health and exercise professionals to complement other activities and treatments that patients may already be involved with or receiving. A holistic health and wellbeing assessment is completed with patients who would like to take part in the programme. The assessment explores with the patient their individual needs and identifies the need for any other possible referrals any relevant partners that may be deemed necessary.
What is involved? During your initial health and wellbeing assessment you will answer a series of questions, which enables us to tailor a programme unique to you – your own individual prehab journey. Your support programme could involve any of the following: Emotional support over the phone Attending a group physical activity/exercise session 1-2-1 physical activity/exercise sessions
Virtual physical activity/exercise sessions Virtual educational sessions Referrals to other partner organisations, i.e. stop smoking You don’t need to worry if you do not usually take part in regular physical activity/exercise. All of our staff are trained to provide you with the level of activity that is appropriate for you and are with you every step of the way.
Why is it important to improve my health, fitness and wellbeing prior to treatment/surgery important? Undergoing any type of treatment or surgery can affect your body in many different ways. This can potentially go on for many months after the treatment/surgery has even taken place. There are several risk factors which can reduce your body’s ability to cope with the stress of treatment/surgery:
Alcohol
Malnourishment
Frailty
Smoking
Physical Inactivity
If any of these risk factors are applicable to you, you could be at an increased risk of complications following your treatment/surgery, which could potentially result in a prolonged hospital stay and other problems once you are able to leave, such as not healing as quick or reduced independence.
The Wellbeing for the Time Being programme can support with this. We can make any necessary referrals to the relevant partner organisations with your permission.
Contact Information: 0800 876 6887 www.wellbeingforlife.net cddft.wb4tb@nhs.net cddft.cancerprehab@nhs.net