We had to shout about this Dressed is best campaign which was launched last month in Stockport as part of the national #endPJparalysis campaign. The #endPJparalysis was started by Nursing Professor Brian Dolan. It’s aim is to highlight the impact of patients being left in pyjamas or hospital gowns for any longer than necessary.

Although there can be risks to patients moving around, staying in bed is actually more risky to health and wellbeing. Many patients can benefit from being more active during hospital stays. Recent studies have shown that 10 days in bed can lead to 10 years of muscle ageing in people over 80 years old. Even regardless of age, patients will lose muscle strength during their stay, though at different levels. It can be the little things like getting up and dressed which can help patients recover quicker. When a patient is dressed, it also changes the way staff and family view them and can lead to more timely discharges.

For the Dressed is best launch, staff at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport swapped their uniforms for pyjamas and started an initative to get more patients up and dressed during their hospital stay. This is just one example of the many great things that are happening in Stockport around health and care. And we’re very much in board! For more information – read all about the launch and views of staff taking part.