Staff and residents at Rainsworth rehabilitation centre finding new ways to beat lockdown challenges

Like other hospitals around the country, staff at the specialist high-dependency inpatient rehabilitation service in Rainworth have rapidly adapted their vital support programmes around the government restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus.

Activities aimed at coping with the enforced quarantine include a new gardening group, indoor fitness sessions, pool tournaments and art classes, as well as relaxation and meditation classes.

There’s even a novel way of replacing shopping trips.

Laura Atherton, a therapy co-ordinator, said: “One of the challenges is that our usual outdoor outings have been cancelled, and so we’ve had to be creative to encourage people to get involved in social activities and pursue their own interests within the hospital environment.

“Where patients would normally enjoy a weekly walk to the shops, we have converted the occupational therapy office into a tuck shop, selling drinks and snacks from our usual food suppliers.

“We have also organised a gardening group, working on a disused patch of land at the hospital, to offer the residents the chance to grow their own vegetables and get involved in some meaningful activity outdoors.”

An information board that promotes the government guidance for self-isolation and social distancing keeps residents up to date, and they are able to make free telephone calls to keep in touch with family and friends.