Partnership working supports elderly patients

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust works with many partners to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients, and staff from the Therapies Department at the RBH are delighted with their latest collaboration with Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) Social Prescribing service.

The Social Prescribing service helps patients link with community activities to improve health and wellbeing, and their regular visits to the hospital are proving to be a great success. 

Sarah Martin from the Social Prescribing team said: “People are often unaware of the support and activities available to them in the community, or where they can go to find out.  Visiting patients before they are discharged gives us an opportunity to encourage people to look at things they would like to change using a simple tool called the Wellbeing Star.  This can help them identify areas in their life where local activities and support could help them feel better and more confident.”

Sarah Morland from RVA added "We work closely with a range of voluntary organisations, including Age UK Berkshire's Living Well project, to ensure that we can link patients to the most appropriate support." 

The Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists have been instrumental in building the new relationships and are supporting attendance at the Falls clinic and Hurley ward.

Moyra Pugh, Lead OT said: “Working in close partnership with other local organisations helps to create a more joined up system of care and support for our patients.  Social Prescribing very much supports a patient’s return to their own homes, giving them a contact in the community to talk through ideas or concerns.

“We are delighted to have them on board and look forward to a long and rewarding partnership.”

November 2016