ELDERLY patients recovering at Musgrove Park

Hospital in Taunton are getting additional help to

keep them active.

It’s all thanks to a new activity facilitator role

introduced on the hospital’s three care of older

people wards – Triscombe, Eliot and Wordsworth.

The dedicated team of four, who are based on

the wards, spend time with patients doing a range

of activities.

From relaxing sessions with manicures and

spa music to lively card games and arm exercises, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Keeping active can bring a number of benefits to patients, including reducing their length of stay at hospital and aiding their recovery.

Katie Parker, Triscombe ward sister, said: “Usually when patients are distressed, it’s because of an unmet need.

“The role of the activity facilitators is to spend time with patients to look at their unmet needs, which will help them feel less anxious and disorientated on the ward and help keep their minds and hands active.”