How immersive interactive sessions are helping patients ready to leave hospital

Helping patients to be as physically active as possible during a hospital stay, and beyond, is so important in their longer term recovery.

Research shows that people who stay in a hospital bed for too long are at risk of becoming deconditioned, including reduced functioning ability, and loss of strength in their muscles.

Our knowledge and library service has teamed up with Somerset Council’s public libraries to offer patients access to an immersive interactive system that projects games onto the floor, with the purpose of getting people moving about.

The interactive projector is being trialled in Musgrove Park Hospital’s discharge lounge, an area of the hospital where patients are transferred to on the day they are ready to leave hospital.

It aims to keep patients moving about in those final hours in hospital, and also encourage them to continue physical activity once they’re back home, with the interactive projector also available to use for free in the county’s public libraries.

The full range of activities available on the interactive projector include gentle stretching and flexibility activities, taster opportunities for tai chi, yoga, boccia, new age curling and even (safely managed!) indoor archery.

Veronica Price, our knowledge and evidence specialist, explains: “This all came about when the public libraries in Somerset were awarded a grant from a local charitable organisation to buy a projector to use within the NHS setting.

“I put them in touch with various different teams across the trust to see how it could be used with our patients who are either in hospital or, as in this instance, those about to be discharged home.

“The activities are designed to be fun and interactive, but gentle in nature, which is ideal for people who are frail or elderly and can’t necessarily do a lot of activity.

“At one of the sessions, a few patients threw bean bags at a target on the floor, and they seemed to really enjoy it – it certainly got them moving!

“In fact, the bean bag game seemed to go down particularly well with patients, as no matter where they were sitting, everyone could get involved if they wanted to.

“Our occupational therapy colleagues have reported great success in using the projector so far, particularly for those patients with dementia. It’s also proven useful for people with autism or other neurodivergent conditions, as it gives them a social space where they can interact.

“The idea is that they get a chance to have a go at this and understand what it’s like so that once they’re back home, they can go along to one of the five public libraries, where the free weekly sessions are on offer.

“By visiting the public library in person or going on its website, people can learn about all the other health offers that are available to them through the public library network, such as health and wellbeing book collections and blood pressure monitors available to loan.

“They’re also able to use the library at home service, which is great for patients who’ve been discharged from hospital, as a team of vetted volunteers deliver books and maybe even pop in for a cup of coffee to give them some company.”

A recent participant at one of the Bridgwater Library activity sessions says that the low impact exercise tasters sessions have made such a difference to their visually impaired friend.

“She had such a big smile all day, as she was able to understand and keep up with everyone,” they said. “She didn’t feel blind and today she even opened a library card.

“I feel that more people should be aware a library is so much more than books, keep doing what you’re doing – it’s great!”