NR Times visits the specialist hospital in London to find out more about the services, approaches and technologies contributing to its global reputation for holistic, patient-centred care.
From a Small Team to a Leading Service: Ascot Rehab was founded 14 years ago after recognising a critical gap in UK neurorehabilitation services.
Ascot was founded with a vision to address these unmet needs and teamed up with Maha Ali, current chief operating officer at the organisation, who provided the business acumen to help turn plans into reality.
They created a partnership that has been the catalyst for an award-winning centre, helping patients from around the world to achieve incredible outcomes.
Crucially, it has also helped to transform the UK’s neuro-rehab landscape.
Maha, who has been part of Ascot since it opened its doors, says: “There was a real lack of rehabilitation services in the UK.
“We realised that a road traffic accident is rarely a single-issue event; patients often present with complex comorbidities, such as a brain injury combined with an amputation.
“Traditionally, these patients might move between different specialised centres, receiving fragmented care that is not only cost-inefficient but also significantly delays the rehabilitation process.
“At Ascot, our vision was to bring these crucial specialties together under one umbrella. By providing a holistic approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and emotional needs of the patient simultaneously, we ensure a more efficient recovery journey and greater financial savings for families.”
An ongoing evolution
Today, Ascot treats patients with a wide range of conditions, including stroke, acquired brain injury, Parkinson’s, MS, orthopaedic conditions, burns and amputations.
Having been founded in Bagshot, Surrey, it is now based in Streatham, London, and has 14 beds. This is slightly fewer than at its original site, in recognition of the need to maintain an intimate care environment.
A patient-centred approach
Patients are at the heart of everything the Ascot team does, Maha explains.
“We’re very patient-focused,” she says. “We know the patients, their families and their stories well, and they certainly aren’t room numbers to us.”
Every new patient is designated a key worker to coordinate between them, their family and the multidisciplinary team (MDT). During the first week, they receive comprehensive assessments to establish a baseline. The small staff-to-patient ratio ensures patients feel part of a family, and many stay in touch long after discharge.
Innovation at its core
Innovation lies at the heart of Ascot’s mission. The hospital’s suite of rehab devices – which includes exclusive technology from Hocoma Solutions, Fourier Intelligence and Giger MD – has earned the facility a Centre of Excellence designation. Staff receive extensive training on this technology, with refresher courses delivered every six months.
General manager and head of therapies, Salman Akram, says: “Innovation isn’t just about the technology itself; it’s about how these tools empower the patient’s recovery journey.
“With AI and virtual reality evolving, rehabilitation technology is constantly advancing, and there is now strong evidence showing these technologies are more effective than conventional approaches alone.”
Ascot clinicians also stay at the forefront of the latest research and clinical guidelines.
Salman notes: “There is no value in adhering to outdated methods when the science has moved forward. We pride ourselves on a dynamic, active rehabilitation model led by qualified therapists who stay on top of the latest evidence to ensure our patients receive the most effective care possible.”
Care from hospital to home
Ascot takes post-discharge care as seriously as inpatient treatment.
Salman explains: “Transitioning to home is one of the biggest challenges our patients face. The hospital is a very controlled, structured environment, but when you return home, that structure disappears.
“Those first three months are particularly critical, which is why we focus on creating a supportive ‘bridge’ to ensure the transition is safe and sustainable.”
The team takes a graduated approach, moving patients from intensive care to semi-independent rooms where they practice daily living skills.
They then transition to outpatient therapy, either at the hospital or at Ascot’s clinic on Wimpole Street. Before discharge, occupational therapists assess the patient’s living arrangements for necessary modifications, while the team connects families with external charities and support groups.
Recognition and ambition
Ascot has received a number of accolades over the years. In 2017, the organisation received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Six years later it became the first hospital to receive the King’s Award for International Trade.
The Hospital has also gained the highest credentials in healthcare intelligence and performance management, CHKS as well as the only Rehabilitation Service credentials CARF.
Now, patients come from all over the UK and around the world, attracted by the hospital’s reputation for achieving beyond-expectation outcomes.
Salman says: “The vast majority of our patients are discharged either fully independent or independent with modifications.”
Both Salman and Maha have their fair share of moving stories of patient recovery.
Among them is the account of two patients who lost limbs in separate car accidents who became life-long friends after meeting at the hospital.
And during an NR Times visit to the site, a Kuwaiti man shares the story of his young son’s miraculous recovery at Ascot Rehab.
The boy was told by numerous experts in Kuwait and internationally that his leg would have to be amputated following a devastating car accident.
His father tells NR Times: “He was treated in multiple rehab centres, including both government, and private ones, but there was no improvement. On the contrary, he was deteriorating.
“But within 40 days of arriving at Ascot, he was able to stand up using a walker or a stick.
“Now, he walks with me to the supermarket and it’s like life has been restored in him. He’s active, energetic and his confidence is back. It’s amazing.
“My advice to any parent who has a child with a similar injury or needs rehabilitation is simply to come here.”
Find out more about Ascot Rehab at ascotrehab.com
