A new initiative to deliver targeted mobility support to patients and help them recover faster has been launched at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn (The QEH).
The ‘Optimising Care’ campaign is being piloted on the Elm Ward at the hospital, with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals and James Paget University Hospitals preparing to follow suit in the future.
A shift in approach
The idea marks a significant shift in how mobility support is delivered: using specialised equipment and staff training, clinical teams will be able to away from a standardised two-carer approach to a single-carer approach, where appropriate. This mirrors care in the community and supports a more personalised recovery journey for patients, as set out in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan.
New mobility equipment now in use at The QEH includes the Sara Stedy (a device which promotes patient participation during sit-to-stand transfers), the ReTurn (enables safe pivot transfers with minimal strain) and the Vendlet system (supports in-bed movement and aids the planning of discharge for patients).
All ward-based clinical and therapy staff on Elm Ward will receive hands-on training with the new equipment from Mark Collins, Moving and Handling Facilitator at The QEH.
‘Making movement meaningful’
Mark said: “This is about making movement meaningful again – not just functional. By supporting patient engagement in everyday mobility, we’re enhancing recovery, promoting earlier discharge, and delivering care with greater dignity.”
The QEH has worked with Norfolk Community Health and Care, Norfolk County Council, and the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board to deliver the programme.
Mel Furness, Moving with Dignity Team Manager at Norfolk County Council, said: “Through our work at Norfolk County Council on the Optimising Care project we were able to identify differences in equipment and moving and handling approaches between hospitals and social care.
“By bringing teams together, the project has helped create a more consistent and person-centred approach to supporting people as they move from hospital to home.”
Partnership working
Sarah Jones, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at The QEH, said: “Thanks to the dedication of our teams and the leadership of Mel Furness we’re not only transforming practice – we’re transforming lives. We’re proud to lead the region in delivering safer, more dignified care for every patient.”
Liz Thorne, Transformation and Delivery Manager at the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, added: “We know how important it is for patients and their families to feel confident in the care they receive, especially when it comes to something as personal as mobility.
“This initiative supports a smoother, faster recovery and helps patients to retain their independence both in hospital and once they return home. It’s a great example of partnership working to make real improvements where they matter most.”
