Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has launched a new rehabilitation service for cancer patients to prepare mentally and physically for surgery.
The “prehab” service – based at Nottingham City Hospital and supported by community exercise provider, ABL (A Better Life), and Self Help UK – will support patients in building their physical and emotional resilience while preparing for forthcoming treatment, as well as help them to cope with their diagnosis.
Additionally, the Prehab Team will promote exercise, physical activity, nutrition and psychological interventions for service users, and ensure patients within the community have access to the ‘holistic’ and ‘personalised’ service if required.
Within the Nottingham University Hospitals statement, the trust ‘hopes’ that patients undergoing the prehab service will experience outcomes such as: fewer post treatment complications; enhanced recovery following treatment; reduced length of hospital stays; improved cardiorespiratory fitness; better neuro-cognitive functions; and enriched quality of life.
Ayleen Haywood, Prehab Team, commented on the launch of the new service: “We are very excited to be able to offer this new prehab service for cancer patients.
“It is amazing how providing exercise and support before treatment can really help cancer patients to feel more resilient and prepared, and can ultimately improve their quality of life. This is our goal and our new gym facilities at City Hospital will help deliver this.
“I am proud Nottingham University Hospitals will now be offering this innovative service to enable our patients to receive the very best preparation for their cancer surgery. Prehab is an area which is gaining momentum in cancer care, and I am delighted to be part of the new service here at NUH.”
In other service-related news, Mental Health Matters (MHM), a nationwide charity providing support for people with mental health needs, has launched a new mental health helpline for people in the Sunderland and South Tyneside area.
