FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY, 2025

Photograph attached: NHS Tayside physiotherapists and occupational therapists with The Broons comic-strip patient booklet

NHS Tayside teams up with The Broons to support #EndPJParalysis campaign

NHS Tayside has joined forces with iconic comic-strip family The Broons for a braw initiative to promote the importance of patient movement and mobility during a hospital stay.

A specially commissioned comic strip featuring the legendary Scottish characters has been published as a patient information booklet as part of the long-running #EndPJParalysis campaign, which aims to promote the benefits of patients in hospital getting up out of bed, getting dressed and getting moving when clinically appropriate.

The comic will be shared with patients, their families and carers across NHS Tayside sites to help recognise, prevent and reduce deconditioning during a hospital stay. Deconditioning is a term that refers to the physical and functional decline sometimes experienced by older adults who are admitted to hospital. Inactivity in hospital can lead to an increased risk of blood clots, pressure ulcers, muscle atrophy and a decline in physical function.

The special Broons booklet emphasises the importance of patients engaging in physical activity to maintain their independence and serves as a reminder that physical activity plays a crucial role in promoting the overall wellbeing and recovery of older people, both in hospital and in their home environment.

Chief Officer for Acute Services Lynn Smith said, “This collaboration with The Broons is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the adverse effects of deconditioning. The #EndPJparalysis campaign aims to encourage as many patients as possible to get up, get dressed and, when appropriate, get moving, during their time in hospital to help speed up their recovery. This can help improve patient outcomes by reducing their length of stay and increasing their strength, wellbeing and independence.”

Director of Allied Health Professions Nicola Richardson said, “The Broons are a family known to all of us and we’re delighted to welcome them to Tayside to help share the messages of get up, get dressed, get moving to end PJ paralysis. This initiative is a joint project between NHS Tayside, the Health and Social Care Partnerships in Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross, and the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation as this is a priority close to all our hearts.”

Derek Laidler, professional lead physiotherapist for Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, originated and helped launch The Broons resource in NHS Highland, with support from Prof Brian Dolan OBE, a nurse who created the #EndPJParalysis campaign.

Prof Dolan, who appears as a character in the specially commissioned Broons story, said, “Often one of the best things patients, especially older people, can do to get home from hospital sooner is to get out of their pyjamas and get up, dressed and moving. We know this can reduce the risk of falls, urine infections and much more and getting dressed can help a person feel like themselves again, boosting their wellbeing and confidence. Loved ones too can see the difference it makes and should be encouraged to bring clothes into the hospital and walk with their loved one to the canteen for a cup of tea where possible.

“Patients' time is the most important currency in healthcare and an important question for all of us is 'If you had 1,000 days left to live, how many would you choose to spend in hospital?'. We know for the vast majority of us the answer is 'none' so let's be more like Granpaw Broon who says 'Get up, get dressed, an' get moving – the very dab!'.”

DC Thomson's content manager for heritage brands Kate McAuliffe said, “Part of the enduring success of The Broons is that everyone can see a little bit of themselves in the characters. They've been entertaining readers for nearly 90 years and it's wonderful seeing how their light-hearted family-orientated storytelling can be combined with serious medical messages.

“The creative team has done an incredible job of weaving a story around Granpaw Broon being in hospital after some over-energetic dancing, and how keeping active puts a smile back on his face. There's even Horace teaching Granpaw about using his smartphone to read QR codes, in inimitable Broons fashion.

“We always say the Broons are 'Scotland's Happy Family That Makes Every Family Happy', and that really comes out in this partnership with the NHS.”

Notes to Editors:

First published in The Sunday Post newspaper Fun Section in March 1936, The Broons comic strips have entertained families for nearly nine decades, earning them the title 'Scotland's Happy Family That Make Every Family Happy'. Appearing in the weekly newspaper, regular gift books and annuals, each member of The Broons family is a Scottish icon, and despite the changing times and landscape, they have remained unchanged, valuing good humour, family, community, and showcasing Scottish culture.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138