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Activities

In around three-quarters of the rehabilitation and continuing care wards we visited, there was a staff member identified to take responsibility for arranging activities.

This responsibility is shared by occupational therapists and nurses. All but four wards had space dedicated for activities and - in all but two - activities were also organised off the ward. Staff in all the wards said they tried to encourage those who are poorly motivated to engage in activities. However, staff in a third of wards acknowledged they had no process for evaluating the activities offered.

The following responses from staff illustrate the range of activities made available:

"Physio group, men's group, women's group, community meeting, Artlink, creative working, yoga, music & movement, baking, Stepping Stones, healthy lifestyle group, daily lunch groups, exercise group, knitting group, etc."

"In the recreation hall there is a full monthly programme of activities which include bands, evening meals, and celebratory events. Off the ward there are cinema trips, walking trips, shopping. People are constantly asked what ideas they have and what they would like to do."

"there are arts and crafts in the ward; recreational therapy off the ward, pool, bowling etc. We aim to get into town as much as possible in the mini-bus. People usually go out 2 or 3 times per week. We have Nintendo Wii in TV room."

"Lunch groups, reading groups, quizzes, outings, dedicated room in ward and occupational therapy department nearby - There is easy access to garden and cafe - there is a minibus available for trips."

"No programme as such. We advertise what's on offer and react to patients' interests. Tuesdays and Fridays there is a ladies group in ward."

The following comments represent individual's comments on activities:

"I am hoping to go to college in September to study 'mind, body and soul' and crafts. The nurse will accompany me discreetly"

"I go to the arts group, walking group and supper group"

"I attend OT. We have outings, shopping, theatre, pub trips"

"I'm starting college course (FT design and media) in September. I go to the 'Music Bus'

(Wednesdays), go to the library to use the computer frequently and go to the gym 5 days per week"

"I enjoy going to the bookies. I was down at the coast for a pub lunch with other people from the ward last week. We go out in the people carrier"

"The OT sometimes comes up to the ward - about once a week - and you make stupid wee dolls and things like that"

"I get out 5 hours a day. It takes 2/3 hours to travel so I only see my children for a short time"

One person described feeling like a "known woman" in her town and feels she cannot go out as a result.

We found very varied activity programmes; some will be enriching and beneficial, others limited. Few people were directly critical of the activities available, perhaps showing the value of any kind of diversion while on the ward.

We asked each person if they had their own activity programme, something which indicates an awareness of his or her individual needs and preferences.

Disappointingly, around half said they did not. This is a similar proportion to the results in our 2003 survey (Greater Expectations, 2003). No one we spoke to in the units in Argyll and Bute, nor in Crichton, knew about an individual activity plan. Responses were about half and half in the Bellsdyke, Leverndale, New Craigs  and Stratheden units.

Nearly everyone we spoke to in the following wards were able to talk to us about their own activity plans:

  • Orchards
  • Ravenscraig
  • Dunnottar

Nearly everyone said they were able to go out of the hospital, although a quarter knew of reasons limiting their comings and goings from the ward.

Activities which individuals said they had done 'yesterday' ranged from going for coffee in the hospital, to a trip to one of the day centres. Some people described their opportunities as very limited and others talked about enjoying trips out. Some accounts also capture the sense of loss experienced by individuals who are seriously affected by long term illness.

One person told us "I used to be an interesting person".