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So far Andrew Mernin has created 640 blog entries.

Opportunity for brain injury professionals to share ideas in transformative times

Case managers, clinicians, therapists and other brain injury professionals will gather virtually later this month for a national conference.

The 18th annual brain injury conference, hosted by law firm Hugh James on Wednesday 18 November, will feature discussions on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting patients and claims; plus challenges in paediatric neurorehabilitation and the latest on lobbying for improvements for all living with acquired brain injury.

By |2024-07-04T17:46:03+01:006 November 2020|News, Case management|
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‘A middle-aged man with MS on the job scrap heap’

Michael was a high-flying company director when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis earlier this year. Only shortly afterwards, amidst the economic impact of the pandemic, he lost his job. Here, he describes the devastating reality of such a double blow, and why he is determined to find the confidence to get him through.

“I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis just before lockdown. Five months later, I was made redundant. The two events weren’t linked, but both have been central to the real uphill battle I feel I’m fighting at present.
By |2024-07-04T17:46:04+01:005 November 2020|News, Multiple sclerosis, Patient stories|
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COVID causes delay in outpatient services

Rehabilitation services for stroke and other neurological diseases have seen a slower recovery in outpatient clinics than those in inpatient settings as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report has found.

Outpatient services were largely stopped or significantly scaled back when the pandemic hit, the study said, and continue to take longer to recover post-lockdown, which could have long-term implications for patients into the future.

Decreases of around 36 per cent compared to 2019 were seen in the ability of outpatient units to interact with patients, with many appointments being delayed for between 3 and 6 months.

In an inpatient setting, the decrease was around 27 per cent at the peak COVID-19 period, although the recovery in rates of seeing patients came much quicker.

By |2026-02-11T11:43:50+00:004 November 2020|Care & services, Therapy, News, Inpatient neuro rehab|
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Retraining the eyes can help with post-stroke condition – study

Eye research charity Fight for Sight is partnering with the Stroke Association to test the effectiveness of a treatment for ‘retraining’ the eyes for people who experience a loss of vision after stroke. The study hopes to establish a new standard of care for stroke survivors and save the NHS money.

Hemianopia – the loss of vision or blindness in half the visual field on the right or left side - occurs suddenly in 30% of stroke survivors and can have a devastating impact on their quality of life. Currently, there is no cure and treatment to help those with hemianopia compensate for their sight loss is variable and not standardised in the NHS. This is due to uncertainty about what works best and when is the best time to offer treatment, resulting in unfair differences in the care people receive.
By |2024-07-04T17:46:04+01:001 November 2020|Stroke, News|
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Stroke survivor takes on ambassador role with rehab tech company

Rehab technology firm GripAble has appointed stroke survivor Kate Allatt as an ambassador.

Kate suffered a rare, massive brain stem stroke at the age of 39, and then went on to develop locked-in syndrome. Doctors said she’d never walk, talk or be able to use her arms again.

But the mother of three defied all predictions, and today, she is a credible and trusted peer mentor, global influencer, and voice for stroke and locked-in syndrome survivors.

The internationally published author of three books, including the acclaimed  ‘Running Free – Breaking Out from Locked-in Syndrome’, says that her role as GripAble ambassador is founded in partnership and collaboration.

By |2024-07-04T17:46:04+01:001 November 2020|News, Stroke|
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We’re open for business – CSP

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has issued a statement reassuring members and patients that physiotherapy services across the UK can remain open no matter what level of lockdown restrictions their area is subject to. This includes private and independent sectors.

Rachael Wadlow, CSP professional adviser, said: "We advise that risk assessment must remain central to members decision making regarding the most appropriate form of patient contact. Please refer to our 7-factor guide on face to face consultations."
By |2024-07-04T17:46:04+01:0031 October 2020|News|
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Study highlights link between depressive symptoms and stroke risk

People with multiple depressive symptoms have an increased risk for stroke, according to findings recently published in Neurology: Clinical Practice.

The collaborative study led by investigators at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabamashowed that individuals who scored higher on a test designed to measure depressive symptoms had a higher stroke risk than those with lower scores. The study involved 9,529 black and 14,516 white stroke-free participants, age 45 and older, enrolled in the UAB-led REGARDS study. REGARDS is a national, population-based longitudinal study designed to examine risk factors associated with racial and regional disparities in stroke incidence and mortality.
By |2024-07-04T17:46:04+01:0031 October 2020|Research, News, Stroke|
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Why people with dementia go missing

People with dementia are more likely to go missing in areas where road networks are dense, complicated and disordered – according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Researchers studied hundreds of ‘missing person’ police reports for people with dementia and compared each case to the surrounding road network.

They hope their findings could help inform future safeguarding guidelines.

Prof Michael Hornberger, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “People with dementia getting lost or going missing is a problem worldwide. Around 70 percent of people with dementia may go missing at least once, with some at risk of going missing multiple times.

By |2024-07-04T17:46:05+01:0030 October 2020|Research, News|
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Lockdown impact: worsening symptoms for people with bone, joint and muscle pain

A new study shows that the majority of people with musculoskeletal pain reported increased symptoms - as the nation adhered to new government restrictions designed to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And those who experienced most social isolation and loneliness were less likely to access healthcare.

The findings are the result of a survey of more than 600 people across the UK to see how people with bone, joint and muscle pain coped in lockdown.

The study was led by Dr Toby Smith, from UEA’s School of Health Sciences, and Prof Alex MacGregor, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School.

Dr Toby Smith said: “Bone, joint and muscle pain is a major cause of disability for people across the UK. People with these problems often experience pain, joint stiffness, fatigue and muscle weaknesses.

By |2024-07-04T17:46:05+01:0030 October 2020|Research, News|
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Report warns of ‘second wave’ of pandemic stroke patients

New statistics from the Stroke Association reveal that almost one in three (29%) stroke survivors who had a stroke during the pandemic delayed seeking emergency medical attention due to Covid-19.

Dr David Hargroves, consultant stroke physician and clinical lead for stroke across East Kent Hospitals said: “A stroke is a life-threatening condition and a mini-stroke is a warning sign that a major stroke is likely. "By acting FAST you can save lives.Remember, Face – is their face drooping on one side? Arms – can they lift them? Speech – is their speech slurred? If you spot any one of these symptoms then it’s Time to call 999. The quicker your loved one receives the right specialist treatment the better their chances of avoiding long-term disability or death.
By |2024-07-04T17:46:05+01:0030 October 2020|News|
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