New rehabilitation gym on hospital ward to help speed up recovery

A dedicated rehabilitation gym for amputees has opened on a ward at St Thomas’ Hospital, helping to speed up recovery and free up beds.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust treats around 75 amputees each year, with the length of stay in hospital ranging from weeks to months.

Previously, physiotherapists had to take each patient to the therapy gymnasium, which involved a 30-minute round trip across 3 wings of the hospital and 2 lifts. The space was used by multiple inpatient and outpatient teams so was unavailable at certain times, limiting the amount of time each patient had to spend there.

Since transforming 2 inpatient beds on Sarah Swift ward into a rehabilitation gym, more amputee patients have been able to access daily physical therapy.

Matt Fuller, clinical lead physiotherapist for vascular surgery and amputee rehabilitation at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “We aim to provide gym-based exercise for our amputee patients every day of the week, but some people were missing out because they couldn’t tolerate travelling across the hospital to get to the gymnasium. 

“By improving access to rehabilitation and reducing clinical risks by keeping patients on the ward, we’re supporting faster functional recovery, improved patient experience with enhanced privacy, and a speedier discharge home.”

He added: “Physiotherapists and occupational therapy teams are also working together in the new space to help improve the patient’s independence, increasing the likelihood of them returning to their previous living arrangements and reducing reliance on social care teams.”

Jason Whiskin, 50, had a leg amputation two months ago and spent several weeks on the ward before transferring to the Trust's Amputee Rehabilitation Unit in Lambeth.

Jason, from Sittingbourne in Kent, said: "I had an infection and it ended up being my life or my leg. Everyone I've met has been amazing. I was in a bad way but when you come into the rehab gym the team not only help you physically, but they also make you laugh, they listen and have time for you. It's an absolutely brilliant and vital space."

Fiona Cathcart, Director of Rehabilitation and Therapies for Heart, Lung and Critical Care at Guy's and St Thomas', said: "This has been a real team effort with fantastic support from our nursing leaders and staff on the ward, who understand the important role rehabilitation plays in helping patients recover and regain their independence. By redesigning how we use our spaces and increasing access to rehabilitation, we can help patients recover more quickly and reduce the amount of time they need to spend in hospital, improving both the experience and outcomes of their care."