PATIENTS at a community hospital run by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust have been making the most of a new activity group set up by staff.

Ludlow Community Hospital’s Discharge and Therapy Team is to hold weekly sessions for patients on Stretton Ward to help with their recovery and rehabilitation from a range of illnesses.

It follows the success of a pilot session in which patients took part in a range of activities, including skittles, board games, painting and computer games.

Staff also gathered ideas on what other activities the patients would like to take part in. The sessions are being put together by physiotherapy rehab technicians Jan Benjamin and Carol White.

As a result, the team is looking to purchase new equipment and resources in order to make the activity group as effective as possible. It is also aiming to roll out the sessions to patients on Dinham Ward at the hospital.

“We’ve all been really pleased with how well the activity morning went,” said Catherine Payton, Ludlow Community Hospital discharge and therapy team leader.

“We wanted to gather ideas from patients first to get an idea of the sorts of activities they would be interested in and are now working together as a team to make it happen.

"We mainly have elderly patients on the ward, but also have others ages too and want the sessions to include something for all ages.

“It’s about giving patients an extra stimulus that can really help with their rehabilitation. The difference to the patients has already been very noticeable - it’s really brought the ward together.”