Open Gym created to help stroke patients recover

Some patients now spend up to three hours exercising.

An NHS Foundation Trust has begun an Open Gym to help patients who are recovering from a stroke be able to leave hospital sooner.

Previously, stroke patients at Great Western Hospitals had to wait to be taken for treatment by a member of staff.

Now they can go to Swindon Intermediate Care Centre at any time of day.

Richard Parmenter had a stroke and was one of the first patients to use the Open Gym. He said: "When they showed me the gym and I came down here with the staff, I was blown away. I’m still doing exercises and remembering what they said."

Alex Christiansen, Therapy Team Lead on Forest Ward said: "The reason we changed to an Open Gym is to increase the number of patients we can get into the gym, but also increase the amount of time patients are exercising during the day.

"The idea is they practice their exercise more, and get more repetitions in, which hopefully will improve their recovery and make their recovery better in six months’ time."

The new system will help patients spend more time with therapists.

As consistent rehabilitation is key to recovery, it is hoped the new gym will allow patients to leave hospital sooner and carry on the exercises in their own homes.

Exercising alongside fellow patients also benefits mental health, with many patients opting to practice their exercises in this more social environment.