This includes those who have been assaulted, had a serious fall, or have been injured in a road accident.
The headset offers a series of personalised games, such as boxing and archery to encourage patients to move.
18 year old Jack Fowler-Thick was seriously injured in a motorbike accident.
Speaking during a bedside therapy session on the major trauma ward led by trauma physiotherapist Elly Tebbutt, Jack says: “I look forward to this part of the day the best. No one wants to end up in hospital, and this makes me forget that I’m here.”
“It really helps,” adds Jack enthusiastically, as he sits on the edge of his chair during a fruit-picking simulation, watched on closely by Elly. “When I played this yesterday I was in a lot of pain, I found it really hard to move, but I felt much better after using the headset.”
Kate Slemeck, Managing Director at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, says: “Every month our dedicated specialist emergency doctors, nurses, therapists and other staff treat 150 major-trauma patients. We’re very proud of the outstanding care they provide, from lifesaving surgery and psychological support, to these virtual reality sessions, which clearly are a huge benefit to our patients.”
