CANCER patients at a Southampton hospital are being given new tools to speed up their recovery.

Patients at University Hospital Southampton now have access to specially designed boards to help them with rehabilitation.

The boards help them to recover lost skills that are essential for regaining independence.

They aim, in particular, to help patients with a back condition which can be caused due to complications from Cancer.

Metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) affects around five per cent of patients.

Symptoms can include back pain, weakened limbs and difficulty walking.

However, the boards which have been funded by the Macmillan charity, enable patients to practice every day motions and regain their strength.

Charlotte Fotheringham, a physiotherapist at the hospital, said: “Although MSCC affects a small percentage of patients, it can impact many skills including walking and even the ability to carry out simple daily tasks like using knobs and keys in locks.

“These upper limb recovery boards contain items we take for granted in our daily lives. Patients relearn and practice using their arms and hands whilst they are still in hospital, which means their recovery and rehabilitation gets a head start.”

“The earlier recovery and rehabilitation starts, the more likely it is that patients make a quicker and fuller recovery, so these seemingly simple boards will have a big impact” says Macmillan partnership manager, Sinead Parry.

The boards are said to be proving a great success with one patient, Sandra, saying: “My therapy sessions were the main thing that motivated me to keep going. I was determined to not give up and they helped me push through this mental and physical barrier.”

Another patient, Lucy, added: “The boards are very creative and help with the use of my arms. I also get to practice my sitting balance.”