Doctors say providing games and activities like Bingo to hospital patients could speed recovery and save the NHS money.
The British Medical Association (BMA) says these simple measures can beat boredom and keep patients happy and should be offered by hospitals. The BMA explains that the period of confinement can be a grim experience for some leading to depression. The latest BMA report looks at the emotional needs of patients.
According to Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA’s head of science and ethics, “What people sometimes forget is that while helping people to feel better during their hospital stay we can reduce their need for painkillers, their likelihood of getting some depression and perhaps not eating enough… All of these things will limit their recovery and if we can speed people’s recovery, they have shorter time in hospital, shorter time for the problems of being in hospital and of course save money.” She went on to suggest simple measures like making hospital rooms sunnier with more natural light to help patients feel better. She also suggested music, drama or games. She said, “Any ward would need to look and say ‘do we have a group of people for whom scrabble would be right or is bingo better for that particular group’.”
A Department of Health spokeswoman said healthcare professionals should plan care “according to a patient’s individual needs to achieve the best possible clinical outcomes…They should also ensure value for money.”
Katherine Murphy of the Patients Association also said, “We welcome this report and hope that it will serve as a wake up call to healthcare providers to see the person behind the patient and to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve… Healthcare professionals must stop treating people as widgets on a production line or a statistic and treat the person as a human being.”
The Bridgewater Mercury recently reported some £2,000 was raised for the Southmead Hospital in Bristol by hosting a charity bingo night.
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