Home For Christmas blog - Jeanette Brumpton, Occupational Therapist

In the run up to Christmas, Solent NHS Trust colleagues are sharing their stories about how they are getting patients home for the festive season.

Today, Occupational Therapist Jeanette Brumpton tells us about the work of the Inpatient Therapy Department at Royal South Hants Hospital, where she has been for 12 years. She says that she has always found the Christmas period a very rewarding time.

The therapy team works closely with nursing, Social Services and the community teams to ensure as many patients as possible are either discharged from our inpatient wards prior to Christmas or are able to visit family for the day.

I began working as rehabilitation assistant in 2007, and enjoyed being part of the activity groups with the patients. I then went onto complete my Occupational Therapy training and I am now part of discharge planning to enable patients to be home and spend time with family. Both roles are valuable in making a hospital stay more enjoyable over what can be a difficult time to be separated from family.

For those who are unable to leave the wards there are festive activities arranged. For example, Carol Singing and a Christmas dinner on the day.

During the time leading up to Christmas, as a Therapy Department we run festive groups, which enable patients time off the ward, promote socialisation with others and aim to improve mood and engagement during their admission. During the groups, patients make cards for their family and friends, and decorations which can be used to decorate their bed space or become part of the department decor. We enjoy decorating our department and playing Christmas music so they can feel part of the festive season even while in hospital and even while they are completing assessments.