A NEW campaign to highlight the need to keep hydrated has been launched at Noble's Hospital.
Water for Health was launched by the Patient Safety and Quality Forum and is aimed at encouraging patients, visitors, and staff to drink more water.
Minister for Health David Anderson MHK officially launched the campaign yesterday.
He said: "The importance of being well hydrated really cannot be understated. The evidence to hand on the health and well-being benefits that drinking plenty of water brings are quite astonishing. It may sound simple but it works.
"It's sometimes the smaller less obvious and basic considerations that can make all the difference to a person's well-being and recovery. Anything that minimises length of stay of patients in hospital has to be encouraged.
"Of course it's not just our patients but also our staff we need to encourage to keep hydrated as they carry out their duties and of course the wider public such as visitors to Noble’s Hospital."
"I don't think the general public are aware how important hydration is anyway and I haven't been. This has certainly opened my eyes."
Promotional material about keeping hydrated will be displayed in wards and in the public areas of Noble's Hospital over the next fortnight – including a display in the main foyer. All children admitted to the Children's Ward will also get a reusable water bottle to use and take home on discharge.
Beverly Critchlow, chief nurse for the Isle of Man and director of nursing, midwifery and professional development at Noble’s Hospital said: "I think it's important that we encourage the public at large to understand the benefits of hydration.
"From a care point of view here at Noble's Hospital we very much encourage patients to drink plenty of water - with filled jugs and glasses readily available at each bed.
"Of course it's not just patients but also our staff and the wider public with whom we want to raise awareness. By the time you realise you're thirsty, usually felt at 0.8 -two percent dehydration, mental function may be affected by as much as ten percent. Mental performance deteriorates progressively as you become more dehydrated."
There are a number of medical problems associated with not drinking enough water including confusion, falling over, skin tears, constipation and kidney problems.
Janet Bailey, chair of the Patient Safety and Quality Forum, explained why it was so important for hospital patients to keep hydrated.
She said: "Being hydrated can reduce pressure sores in hospital because hydration improves the skins ability to act as padding between bones and a hospital bed.
"It also reduces the chances of developing a blood clot by thinning the blood and significantly improves mental performance and helps reduce confusion and the risk of trips and falls particularly for the elderly.
"Getting the message out and helping patients and the public to understand the profound impact that just drinking plenty of water can have on preventing conditions that can lead to, or result in, prolonged hospital treatment and the suffering and cost associated with it can make a real difference."
The Water for Health hydration campaign will run to November 28.
