Patient Open Gym at Ellesmere Port Hospital helping stroke patients boost their recovery

An innovative open gym on the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust’s stroke rehabilitation ward based at Ellesmere Port Hospital is already helping patients spend more time practising their rehabilitation and supporting their recovery in a more flexible, social way.

The gym was launched during the Trust’s Innovation Fortnight after therapy staff identified that many patients wanted - and would benefit from -  more opportunities to practise the exercises they had been given outside of traditional one‑to‑one appointments.

The idea was developed by therapists and therapy assistants who recognised the potential to make better use of the existing therapy gym, helping patients stay active and engaged while improving outcomes without placing additional pressure on clinical teams.

The gym runs twice a week on Monday and Thursday afternoons as a supported drop‑in session, allowing patients to attend at a time that is in addition to their 1-1 session.

Each session is staffed by two to three therapy assistants and includes a range of activity stations designed to support physical and cognitive rehabilitation – whilst all activities are adapted to meet different abilities and individual needs.

By offering a more relaxed and inclusive approach, the gym allows patients to practise skills they have already learned, increase the amount of rehabilitation they receive, and stay motivated in a supportive and social setting.

Since the gym was introduced, the therapy team has seen rehabilitation practice time increase by around 30% on the afternoons the gym operates, providing a significant boost in therapy intensity.

Staff have also reported fewer missed opportunities for patients to practise, improved efficiency, and higher levels of patient engagement.

Meanwhile, patients also benefit from having more choice and control over their rehabilitation, helping to prevent deconditioning and support recovery.

Project leads say the success of the gym shows how small, frontline‑led ideas can make a real difference.

Ruth Hatcher, Quality Improvement Lead for the Neuro Therapy Service at The Trust said:

“The gym is a great example of how a simple idea, driven by staff, can have a big impact for patients. It gives people more time and confidence to practise their rehabilitation while making the best use of our therapy space and staff expertise.”

The initiative reflects the Trust’s ongoing commitment to innovation, collaboration and finding practical ways to put patients at the centre of their care.

An open gym is a flexible, accessible rehab space patients can use more freely throughout the day, with therapist oversight rather than constant 1:1 input in the more traditional therapy gym.

Pictured - Some patients using the gym.