Community fundraisers have generously funded new gym equipment for patients under the care of specialist rehabilitation services at an Epping hospital.
The League of Friends of St Margaret’s Hospital donated around £11,500 to refurbish two rehabilitation gyms run by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) at the Orchard Day Unit.
It is the largest single donation the group has made since it was formed in 1949.
Members of the group were invited to see some of the new equipment that has arrived in time for Rehabilitation Awareness Week (14 to 20 September), a national week organised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy to highlight the difference rehabilitation care makes to people’s lives.
EPUT has a number of teams at the hospital who specialise in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, musculoskeletal health, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
They treat patients in hospital and in the community, who use the gyms to regain strength, mobility, and balance.
The new equipment includes a treadmill, parallel bars, strength training machines, weights, a mini trampoline, and plyometric jump box.
The investment will enable more patients to use the gyms and help staff to better tailor exercise programmes to their needs.
Louise Knight, Intermediate Care Team Therapy Lead, said: “Rehabilitation gyms are far more than just spaces with equipment; they are places where patients rebuild confidence, independence, and hope.
“The addition of new equipment reflects EPUT’s recognition of the value these environments bring.
“It is more important than ever that we retain and invest in these spaces, ensuring patients have access to bespoke programmes that support their recovery journey.”
Pam Mulholland, chair of the League of Friends, said: “The Friends of St Margaret’s Hospital is a charity that exist to help improve patient outcomes by funding the things that sit outside of the NHS budget.
“The work of the physio teams is good example of the great work that our local hospital does to help patient recovery and I’m delighted that we have been able to help through the provision of the new equipment.
“I’d like to thank all of our supporters and committee members who have helped make this donation possible.”
Gary Bridger, from Waltham Abbey, has received care at Beech ward for the last three months following a stroke.
He found the gym sessions really beneficial to his recovery, and also helped to test out different types of new equipment before they were bought.
“They took me to the gym each day and I took to it really well immediately,” said Gary.
“I responded well to the exercises and I worked hard.”
He will be returning home soon to continue his recovery, and the Stroke Vocational Rehabilitation Service, which is also run by EPUT, have supported him to be able to return to work soon too.
Gary said: “I have had a first rate service from St Margaret’s, they have been brilliant to me.
“The physiotherapy team have been first rate in everything they did, they were superb. They worked really hard for me.”
The investment in the gyms will enable the therapy teams to offer more to patients. The EPUT teams have also been working with students who are studying for the MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of East London to offer open gym sessions, so that patients can attend supervised gym sessions in addition to their usual therapy sessions.
Jack McNamara, a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for the MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of East London, said: “St Margaret’s has been a fantastic placement partner for our students, and it was great to be asked for some thoughts on the new equipment.
“It doesn’t just benefit patients, it gives our students a richer, more varied experience working with patients on their recovery. We’re really grateful to the League of Friends for making this possible.”
The rehabilitation gyms also support the Get Up, Get Dressed, Get Moving initiative on EPUT’s wards at the Orchard Day Unit. Patients are encouraged to stay as active as possible during their hospital stay to help their recovery by taking part in activities and therapies, or even simply by spending time outside of their rooms.
Last year, The League of Friends, EPUT’s Charitable Funds and EPUT staff raised money to refurbish the day rooms on three wards with comfortable furniture, games, activities, smart televisions and artwork.
Find out more about The League of Friends of St Margaret’s Hospital.
About EPUT:
- EPUT has a vision to be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care: Who we are – Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- EPUT provides services to more than 100,000 patients at any one time and our staff are focused on providing high quality care in often complex situations.
- The organisation has invested in inpatient facilities and community services to make them safer and more therapeutic. We have extensively invested in technology to keep patients safer, enhanced training, and are continuously working with our staff, patients, their families and carers to use learning and best practice to enhance our quality of care.
- While there is more to do, the Trust has made significant progress through innovation:
- Our 111 mental health crisis phone line ensures people in need can access support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- People with lived experience have been employed in designated roles across the Trust, ensuring patient voice is heart of the organisation and all that we do.
- A number of new initiatives have been launched, helping people access the support they need when they need it most. These include a mental health urgent care department, By Your Side maternal mental health service, Rough Sleeper team, mental health crisis ambulance cars, virtual wards and neuromodulation service.
- EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 and provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex, Luton and Bedfordshire and Suffolk. We employ more than 7,200 staff working across more than 200 sites.
- To read more about our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible, visit https://eput.nhs.uk/about-us/2023-2028-strategic-plan/