The staff from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI) are preparing for a gruelling 500-mile walking and running challenge to raise funds to enhance patient care.
Later this month, the ICU team will be taking on the ‘Rehab 500’ challenge and will be walking or running a collective 500 miles to raise funds to buy a ‘MOTOmed’ rehabilitation bike, which could cost up to £12,000 depending on the specification. This vital piece of equipment will support early physical rehabilitation for critically ill patients, helping them begin their recovery even while still in intensive care.
The campaign with Bay Hospitals Charity comes after the ICU team trialled the over-bed bike for several months, witnessing its positive impact on patient recovery and wellbeing.
Early rehabilitation is proven to improve physical recovery, reduce fatigue and muscle weakness and support better mood and sleep patterns for patients recovering from critical illness. The over-bed bike allows staff to begin gentle physical therapy at the bedside, promoting strength, independence and improved results.
Sarah Leadsom, an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner in the ICU team and one of the organisers, said: “We’ve seen how effective this equipment is in promoting early rehabilitation for critically ill patients. It’s about returning people to who they were before they came into hospital.
“The bike can be used by patients at all stages of critical care, including those who are sedated and ventilated, operating in a passive mode to keep muscles moving and prevent deterioration
“One particularly moving success story involved one of our long-stay patients who expressed his love for Grasmere in the Lake District.
“We mapped out a virtual cycling route from Lancaster to Grasmere on the rehabilitation bike and decorated his room with photographs of the village. Over several weeks, starting with just half a mile per day, our patient gradually ‘cycled’ the entire route and celebrated his achievement with Grasmere gingerbread brought in by his wife. We were all in tears at the finish.”
Michelle Sierpinski, a Ward Manager in the ICU and also one of the organisers, said: “I think it was a real psychological boost for him as he felt it was an unachievable target at the outset.
“The whole team got involved with it. We were all invested and wanted him to get there. It was a real achievement for him.
‘’The equipment aligns with new clinical guidelines promoting early rehabilitation of critically ill patients, with research showing it can reduce length of stay and improve long-term outcomes. The bike is easily operated by nursing staff as well as physiotherapists, making it an invaluable addition to patient care.
Sarah said: “Critical illness takes its toll on the body, so anything we can do to help get patients started on that road to recovery is really important. We run follow-up clinics and see patients coming back and we know how much difference early intervention can make.”
The fundraising team is planning various group activities during their challenge week, including walks up Nicky Nook, family-friendly pram walks and individual running and walking goals suited to staff members’ different fitness levels and abilities.
The team is hoping the wider community will support their challenge, recognising the vital role critical care played during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to play in saving lives.
Michelle added: “We’ve made a lot of friends over the years, including ex-patients and family members who have fundraised for us in the past, so we hope they will support us.”
Judith Read, Charity Manager for Bay Hospitals Charity at UHMBT, said: “We are deeply grateful for the dedication and compassion shown by the ICU team.
“Their commitment to going above and beyond for their patients is a shining example of kindness and a desire to help their patients.”
You can support the Rehab 500 Challenge by donating on this link: ICU Rehab 500 | Bay Hospitals Charity
The team members will be sharing their progress on their social media channels @criticalcare.rli on Instagram and @CareRoyal on Twitter. It will also be on the UHMBT social media accounts.
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