Hospitals in daytime pyjama ban to get patients out of bed

HOSPITALS are banning patients from wearing pyjamas during the day, as they say it will help recovery.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the health benefits of getting dressed, out of bed and being as active as possible while in hospital. Jane Cummings, the chief nursing officer for England, launched the initiative earlier this week, and it will run for 70 days.

Whittington Hospital, north London, is among those implementing the ban, with patients’ families and friends being asked to pick up dirty washing at the end of the day.

Michelle Johnson, Whittington Health NHS Trust’s chief nurse, told the Camden New Journal: “It isn’t normal for people to spend all day in pyjamas at home, so why should they do this in hospital? Getting dressed makes it more likely that our patients will get out of bed and move around, meaning that they will regain strength and can go home sooner.”

“This is a way that everyone, staff, family and friends, can come together to help patients get back to their own homes faster.”

Other hospitals taking part include Frimley Park in Surrey, Pilgrim Hospital in Lincolnshire and Whipps Cross in east London, and they have all seen positive uptakes in the first week.

An NHS spokesman said the scheme would target elderly people, after concerns over the number of older patients experiencing muscle ageing by remaining in bed. He said: “We believe more than 60 per cent of immobile older patients have no medical reason that requires them to be on bed rest.”

Another study has suggested a 50 per cent increase in walking while in hospital could reduce patients’ length of stay by 6 per cent.