How dance workshops funded by Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust are helping to prevent falls


Despite receiving excellent care and treatment, patients who are admitted to hospital can sometimes become lethargic as their bodies take time to heal.

This can impact on their mental and physical health and increase their risk of falling.

To tackle this problem, the falls co-ordinator at Addenbrooke's has been trialling an imaginative series of dance workshops for vulnerable patients, thanks to funding from Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust (ACT), the hospital's dedicated charity.

The two-hour sessions are for patients of all abilities, regardless of how mobile they are. Some have very limited movement and others have dementia, but all patients are encouraged to take part at their own pace.

Co-ordinator Debra Quartermaine, who developed the programme, said: "We were looking for a sociable way of getting patients active, where they can mix with each other, engage with our volunteers and support staff, lift their spirits and have fun. Visiting families and friends can get involved too.

"The aim is to create a shared artistic experience for all."

About 20-30 patients are currently taking part each week and feedback has been excellent. One patient said "I found it exhilarating and friendly", while another said "It was a bit tiring, but don't forget, I haven't moved for a week. It was brilliant."

The programme is now being independently evaluated to show that patients who take part in the dance workshops recover more quickly, go home earlier and are less likely to be readmitted because of a fall.

Following the evaluation, Debra and her team are hoping to share their experiences so other hospitals can adopt this creative and fun approach to a serious problem.

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