IT'S time to get moving.

That's the key message of a national challenge for the NHS in Cumbria as staff and families take part in a national challenge designed to show the benefits of getting patients to move.

To support the aim of ending "pjama paralysis", staff at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Tust (NCUH), the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) will join colleagues across the health service by arriving at work in their pjamas.

This year, NHS England has set wards across the country a “70 day challenge” in order to get as many patients as possible up, dressed, and moving.

Staff at north Cumbria’s two main hospitals, the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital, will use an app to upload data each day about how many patients are dressed and mobile.

This will then be entered into a competition to see which wards can get the most patients on their feet. NHS England wants is aiming to capture one million patient days nationwide in just 70 days.

Community hospitals staff will also reaffirm their commitment to helping more patients to get dressed and moving by revisiting pledges from last year and continuing to raise awareness.

Barbara Pinguey, specialist physiotherapist at NCUH, said: “Research consistently shows us that it’s in the interest of the patient to get out of bed, out of their pyjamas and moving about as much as they possibly can.

"This was a very successful campaign last year, and it raised a great deal of awareness.

"This year, putting the challenge to individual wards to see how improvements change outcomes for patients is a great step, and has already received great support from ward staff.

“Support from families is also hugely important, and as well as asking families to ensure they provide plenty of clothing, we are asking them to get behind us on this campaign to get their loved one recovered as quickly as possible."

"The campaign is a great way of reminding staff, patients and their families of the benefits of getting dressed and moving and what we can all do to help.”

The campaign runs from 17 April to 26 June 2018 to finish in time for the NHS 70th anniversary celebrations on 5 July.

Studies show that:

It is also believed that a 50% increase in walking while in hospital can lead to a 6% shorter length of stay.

At the end of the campaign, NCUH will review the results and will be celebrating, with accolades, including ones for the ward with the most patients up and dressed); and one for the ward with the most patients dressed and moving.

Further information is available from www.endpjparalysis.com