News

Hollywood Patients Enjoy Armchair Travel

Aug 04, 2021

PATIENTS at Hollywood Private Hospital are experiencing cultures from around the globe in staycations with an international twist.

Catering Manager Peter Trusler, patient Bob Avery, Occupational Therapy Assistant Sarah Straughan and Catering Assistant Peter Seddon celebrated Italy with Pizza.

The walls of Clifford Sadlier Ward are adorned with pictures representing countries from around the world and patients have been indulging in international cuisine.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Sarah Straughan said with COVID-19 restrictions limiting travel, staff decided to ‘transport’ patients around the world with travel-themed occupational therapy group sessions.

“We pick a country and patients get a boarding pass,” Ms Straughan said.

“Then during our ‘armchair travel,’ we listen to music from that country, enjoy traditional food and talk about important landmarks, flags and famous people.

“The staycations have been really popular and staff enjoy planning them.”

So far the ‘world tour’ has taken patients to Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Japan, Africa and Hawaii.

Patient Bob Avery said the travel-theme group sessions were really interesting.

Director of Clinical Services Karen Gullick said the sessions were important for stimulating mental cognition and social interactions.