The new Inpatient Gym is now open at CRH. Last week the Stroke Therapy Team saw their first patient in the new gym, which will also be used by the Respiratory and Acute Therapy teams.

The gym has also had some new equipment including five brand new electric powered wheelchairs, plinths and balance equipment. CHFT Charity also funded some equipment, including: steps, footballs, weights, cones, putty, hurdles, and ladders.

Physiotherapy Lead, Michelle Barrow said: "The new Inpatient Gym is a nice quiet space where patients feel they can concentrate on their therapies, away from the ward which can sometimes be noisy. It offers greater privacy and means they do not need to share the space with other patients. It gives us as therapists, the room and space that we need to be able to make the most out of all the equipment that we do have, to be able to give our patients the best offer. It has been designed to have up to four patients in at a time so also helps promote joint working."

"Our new power assisted wheelchairs are already making a big difference to colleagues in helping them stay safe and well whilst moving our patients from the ward to the gym for therapies."

The team have had feedback from the first patient to use the gym who said: "The new wheelchairs are comfy, and the gym room is fresh. The team are all very, very professional, and it helps that they are good drivers!

Other patient feedback has included: "I can concentrate more in this space than I can on the ward" and "Thumbs up!"

Head of CHFT Charity, Emma Kovaleski, said: “We provided £3,700 to fund a fantastic range of new equipment to enhance the Inpatient Gym. It’s great to be able to see the items being used in therapy sessions to promote independence and improve mobility, leading to better quality of life on discharge.”

Occupational Therapist, Dominic Bromley, said: "It is a nice space to have for acute rehab and getting people off the ward. It is great to have the separate office space too.