A nurse found out what it was like to be one of her elderly patients when she put on a special suit.
Sue Cook, an older people liaison nurse, struggled to pour a glass of water, open doors and walk up stairs at Epsom Hospital.
Epsom and St Helier University Hospital NHS Trust has published a video of her experience on YouTube to launch a programme that puts staff in patients’ shoes.
Over the coming months, hospital staff are invited to take part in the Patient First initiative. The age simulation suit had weights to make Ms Cook’s joints feel stiff and swollen joints, goggles to restrict her vision and a back brace to bend her spine.
She told the camera: "It’s really had a profound effect on me. I have looked after older people for the last 12 years and I’m very passionate about the job that I do.
"However, it’s opened my eyes and I have looked at it very differently today."
For more information visit www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/patientfirst
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