Hospital staff held a pyjama party - to encourage patients to 'get up, get dressed and get moving'

The Larkfield Unit is taking part in a worldwide 'End PJ Paralysis' initiative which aims to get ward patients up and out of their pyjamas as soon as they are able.

It is aimed at improving recovery and encouraging a quicker return home.

Julie Bruce, senior charge nurse at the unit, said: “Our aim is to get older people back home to their loved ones, and living much happier and fuller lives.

"It is a common misconception that pyjamas are always best for recovery - for many patients wearing them reinforces feeling unwell and can lead to unintentional harm.

"For those patients who can get out of bed, our staff will help and support them to do so.

“We wore our jammies to work to gain an understanding of how vulnerable and uncomfortable a patient can feel and highlight how bed rest can damage health and independence.”

Health bosses say some of the benefits of getting up and moving around includes less bone and muscle weakness, a reduction in falls, better breathing, an improved ability to fight infections, less confusion, better circulation and a more stable blood pressure.

Julie added: "Simple activities such as getting up out of bed, getting dressed, sitting up for meals and visitors, walking around the unit with or without help and doing exercises in bed throughout the day will deliver a number of health benefits for patients.

“A year ago we audited how many patients were up and dressed and also how many patients were in the dining room for lunch every day.

"We worked with our colleagues to try to improve on this to encourage our patients to be up and dressed and moving around.

"This worked very well but we feel that we now need to raise more awareness."

Dr Margaret McGuire, who is the nurse director at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, says the campaign also encourages family members to become more involved in the care of their loved ones.

She said: “Nursing and medical staff and allied health professionals in five of our hospitals have been working closely to introduce the End PJ Paralysis initiative in its first wave.

“Staff are working across appropriate wards to encourage patients to focus on their mobility and independence as well as raise awareness with their families and friends.

"The aim is that the campaign will play an important role in motivating hospitalised patients to get up, dressed and moving around.

“The approach also encourages family members to become involved in the care of their loved ones.

"They can play their part by bringing in items such as day clothes, well fitting shoes and toiletries to help patients maintain part of their routine.”