Why creature comforts could give hospital patients a boost

PETS should be allowed to visit owners in hospital, and animal therapy offered to patients to boost mental and physical health, the Royal College of Nursing says.

New guidance will for the first time encourage hospitals to be more welcoming to four-legged friends, and to introduce “animal-assisted therapy” to calm the nerves of anxious patients.

A survey of 750 nurses found almost half had worked with animals – including ponies and chipmunks, as well as cats and dogs – during their careers. In total, 82 per cent said animals – dogs in particular – encouraged patients to be more physically active, while nearly 60 per cent said their presence appeared to speed physical recovery.

However, one in four nurses said all animals were banned by their employer, most often on the grounds they could spread infection.

Amanda Cheesley, RCN professional lead for long-term conditions, said: “Clearly those things have to be taken into account but it doesn’t seem unreasonable for an elderly lady recovering from a hip operation to be wheeled out to meet her dog, or for him to be brought to her, to say hello.”

Such sessions had also been shown to be helpful to those with a range of mental health problems, and to ease anxiety in children, she added.

The college is developing a national protocol which will set out the considerations which should be made before decisions are taken, including management of infection risks.

University Hospital Southampton NHS foundation trust has just begun a study to see whether therapy dogs can help children recover from treatment.