EAU patients get lifestyle help from experts

11th Dec 2013

A new pilot at Sandwell Hospital will give patients admitted to its Emergency Admission Unit (EAU) the opportunity to make changes to their lifestyle to help prevent readmission for such things as pulmonary embolism, heart attacks and diabetic complications.

Sandwell Hospital’s EAU will host Mytime Health’s Health Trainers two half days a week during the three-month pilot which will see the health trainers work closely with EAU staff to identify patients that would benefit from their services straight away.

Mytime Health are a division of Mytime Active, a social enterprise who provide holistic, innovative, evidence-based services that enable individuals to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

Dr Doug Robertson, Consultant Physician and Clinical Champion for Prevention said: “We owe it to our community not just to treat them when they are ill, but to do our best to keep them well.

“Some of our patients have frequent admissions, often worsened by an unhealthy lifestyle that with these interventions can be improved.  This will generally improve an individual’s own health and well-being, potentially preventing the cycle of relapse and readmission.”

Health trainers work in supporting individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices, and to carry out the changes they want to. These can include: stop smoking, healthy eating and weight management, physical activity and cutting down on alcohol consumption.

Jayne Warwood, Health Trainer Service Manager said: “Health Trainers are based in over 35 GP surgeries across Sandwell. Coming into EAU for the initial Health Behaviour Checks will ensure a smooth referral process for the patient; once the checks have been carried out our Health Trainers will report back into the GP surgeries and refer the patient to relevant services across Sandwell.

“There are various lifestyle courses across Mytime Active which can support EAU patients and Mytime Active’s seamless referral procedure means the patient won’t have to wait to get the help and support they need.”

The health trainers will support the patient to make healthy changes to their lifestyle, working with them to set achievable goals on a one-to-one basis.

The pilot will be measured on the number of patients taking up referrals from the health trainers. If the pilot proves successful the Trust hope to roll the scheme out to other wards and community services.

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