NHS England is transforming the city centre Pullman hotel, next to the M&S Bank arena and the Royal Albert Dock, into a Covid-19 rehabilitation centre for patients that are discharged from hospital, yet too unwell to cope from home without the help of healthcare professionals. This will ease pressure from hospitals and mean patients can be discharged from hospitals earlier than they usually would.
After opening in 2016, the modern hotel has the capacity for 216 beds, features a restaurant and function rooms with views over the River Mersey and Royal Albert Dock. Pullman Liverpool is part of the on-going investment on Liverpool waterfront and is the latest addition to the ACC Liverpool campus, which is home to BT Convention Centre, M&S Bank arena and Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
The Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has seen thousands of people in the North West, including Liverpool fall unwell, and some critically unwell with symptoms. Currently, there have been over 1,300 confirmed cases in Liverpool, however these numbers are likely to be a lot higher. When people become critically unwell with Covid-19, they may need a ventilator to help them to breath. This means being sedated and bed bound for a long period of time, therefore patients often suffer with muscle loss, weakness, sleep disturbance, and circulatory problems. Once they become able to breath unaided, patients can be discharged from a ward and can start their recovery process. However, they may need support with psychological, physical and social problems for both the patient and their families. That is where rehabilitation centres will be of aid.
Dr James Gill, Locum GP & Honorary Clinical Lecturer, Warwick Medical School, said:
“We have a steep learning curve to follow with regard to caring for patients who have survived the COVID19 infection, as patients continue to experience feelings of fatigue, shortness of breath and reduced exercise tolerance. Thus, there will be patients in need of step-down care whether in the hospital before discharge home, or after a recovery in the community with primary care support. That additional input will likely be multidisciplinary in nature, recomposing respiratory review, physiotherapy and nutritional team advice, and likely psychiatric support as they regain their health.“
Front line workers from Liverpool City Council have been asked to work within the rehabilitation centre, including Occupational therapists, Physiotherapists and Nutritionists to assist patients in their recovery. An example of how they will work is by helping patients build up their strength who have suffered from muscle loss and severe fatigue, so that they are able to do every day activities again such as walk up their stairs at home unaided so they are able to cope at home. They will also provide psychological support for those who may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly found in past critical care patients.
A quote from Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region:
“We are lucky to have so many brilliant frontline staff working flat out to combat COVID-19 and I want to thank them for everything they are doing.
“I hope the public will be reassured, as I am, that a multi-agency response is under way right across the city region and everyone is pulling together to protect the 1.6 million people who rely on us.
“We all know we are in for an extremely difficult time in the next few days, weeks and, potentially, many months. We know it will be hard, but I also know that if we work together, and look out for each other, we will get through this.”
Click HERE for our article on everything you need to know about Coronavirus.
Ceri Sedgwick has always had an interest in health and fitness. As a registered nurse working in critical care, she applies her health and physiology knowledge not only to her career but to her own training and nutrition. Through social media, she has worked with many fitness brands and local businesses around Liverpool, giving her an insight into PR and content creation.
