Elderly care is one of most vital parts of hospital

8:03am Friday 14th December 2007

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ELDERLY care may not hold much reverence for some, but it one of the vital parts of the hospital.

Dr Asangaedem Akpan and his extended team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nurses work hard to try to get patients back home as soon as possible.

Whether it is chest infections or bone breaks and fractures that their patients have, the entire team works as one to help get them back on the road to recovery.

Dr Akpan said: "We meet once a week and we discuss each patient. We discuss the medication they are on to walking and whether a person is ready to go."

One of the important parts of the care for these patients is evaluating the medication of each person as many will have more than one ailment that needs medication and balancing them all is important. The department works closely with the pharmacy department to ensure the best.

Janice Kennedy, from the pharmacy, said: "We visit the wards every day and make sure the patients are prescribed the medication."

Patients tend to stay on the ward for between two and four weeks depending on their skills before the hospital stay.

Some may then continue to work with a support team when they have gone home for anyone who still have goals in their rehabilitation.