Strength and balance classes a hit with patients

Strength and balance classes have been launched at Moretonhampstead Hospital and are already proving a hit with patients.

The weekly classes, which started in November, are designed to boost the health, wellbeing and confidence of people who suffer from falls or are afraid of falling.

The sessions run for 12 weeks and include a range of exercises aimed at improving balance and preventing falls, with advice from therapists on how best to manage them when they do happen.

Falls account for over half of hospital admissions for accidental injury, and about a third of people aged over 65 will suffer at least one fall each year.

Emily Woodgate, a physiotherapist for the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, leads the local sessions on Tuesday mornings.

She said: “We aim to prevent falls, improve balance and increase confidence, general fitness, wellbeing and independence, mainly through exercise and education.

“Patients support and encourage each other during the classes and enjoy the tea, coffee and biscuits at the end, when they can have a chat and discuss how they are managing with people in a similar situation.

“We’ve been delighted with the early success of the classes and now have enough patients on the waiting list to start a new block of 12 sessions in the near future.”

Most patients are referred by their GP or the local NHS community nursing and therapy team, although people are able to refer themselves.

The classes are among the first new services to be introduced as part of the hospital’s transformation into a health and social care hub.

The sessions have been made possible thanks to the donation of £1,200 worth of gym and exercise equipment from Moretonhampstead Hospital League of Friends.

The equipment includes balance beams, wobble boards, gym balls, aerobic steps, dumbbells, mats, a pedal exerciser and an activity treasure chest.

Emily said: “We would like to thank the League of Friends for their amazing support.

“Previously the hospital didn’t have any therapy equipment at all, but now we can offer a range of interventions and are looking to set up other exercise groups to assist patients with a variety of conditions.”

Philip Fowler, chairman of Moretonhampstead Hospital League of Friends, said: “The League of Friends is delighted that this course of strength and balance classes is under way.”