131 Deconditioning in hospital. Introducing physical activity for inpatients via the active hospitals project – creating a sustainable active ward model

Introduction and Purpose Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) participated in phase 2 of the Active Hospitals Project. A number of work streams were created, summarised in figure 1.Abstract 131 Figure 1A summary of the active hospitals project at NUH as of June 2023Creating Active Wards is one part of our work. Evidence shows that inpatients spend 95% (23 hours/day)1 of their time being sedentary, leading to risk of deconditioning and a subsequent increase in health and social care needs. The active hospitals team invited expressions of interest from wards to participate with a view to rolling the intervention out. We currently have 4 Active Wards after piloting with 1.Material and Methods We employed a project manager who liaised with stakeholders in specialties who expressed interest in the project. Stakeholders participated in a steering group which included a member of the Trust’s Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) Group. Deconditioning was seen as a priority area by the PPI Group and therefore collaboration with them to modify a ‘Keep moving’ sheet occurred, figure 2.Abstract 131 Figure 2The keep moving sheetAbstract 131 Figure 3To assist patients following the sheet, volunteers were recruited using existing pathways in an innovative way.Results Over a 10-month period, 45% of patients were advised to stay active, 37% were signposted to physical activity opportunities, including the ‘Keep Moving’ sheet. There has been a 28% increase in the number of patients being shown the sheet from baseline measures. Active Hospital Volunteers supported 16% of patients within the pilot’s 1st month rising to 44.4% 6 months later.Conclusion It has been possible to create a sustainable model to increase physical activity, but a change in culture on the ward and staff engagement has been key.