Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow put himself in an old person’s shoes on Friday, when he was strapped into an age simulation suit at St Helier Hospital.

The outfit showed Mr Burstow what it is like to grapple with the arthritis and joint pains commonly experienced by the elderly.

The suit applies weights to the arms and legs to recreate the stiffness and limited mobility of old age, and comes with a back brace to restrict the flexibility of the spine. 

The Liberal Democrat even put on goggles which mimic the sight restrictions for people with glaucoma.

He said: "Care is an area I take an interest in, so I knew intellectually how difficult growing old can be, but I didn’t know physically.

"That’s why it is so important for hospital staff, and also I think people for people in the care sector, to wear one of these suits as part of their training.

"Sitting in lectures and learning about this on slides isn’t the same as experiencing it first hand."

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Senior practice educator Nick Gladstone (right), and nurse Jessica Inch (left), were on hand to strap Mr Burstow into the suit and take him on a brief walk around the hospital.

The MP was introduced to a full range of daily struggles experienced by the elderly- making his way up and down the stairs, climbing into a hospital bed, and taking a stroll through the halls with limited mobility and vision.

Age simulation suits are not common practice in hospitals up and down the UK, with Ms Inch saying just a handful of NHS trusts use them.

Mr Burstow visited the Carshalton-based hospital on Friday, January 16, at 2.30pm.

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The experience showed the MP how even lying in a hospital bed can be difficult for the elderly