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So far Deborah Johnson has created 210 blog entries.

Delivering at-home physio during lockdown – the challenges and opportunities

For those providing rehab services, lockdown has presented many challenges in how to continue treatment in light of ongoing restrictions. Here, Ben Ruby, owner of Ben Ruby Neuro Physio, discusses how he has adapted his way of working to ensure his clients continue to benefit and how telerehab can help people discover new possibilities.

“Provision of therapy services since March 2020 has shifted due to COVID-19 and the restrictions put in place by the government. Working within the private sector and providing specialist neurological physiotherapy input, I often spend prolonged periods of time within my clientshome.

Providing rehabilitation within peoples homes can generate fantastic results as its possible to make treatments specific to the individual’s needs and is more relevant to their day to day lives. This is something that cant always be replicated within a rehabilitation unit, for example.

By |2024-07-04T17:46:03+01:009 November 2020|News|

COVID and brain injury survivors experiencing similar symptoms

Brain fog and other neurological symptoms seen in those recovering from COVID-19 may be due to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), new research has revealed.

Growing numbers of people recovering from the virus are reporting factors including lapses in concentration, headaches, extreme fatigue and sleep disruptions - all of which can be exacerbated among brain injury survivors, many of whom experience such factors in their everyday lives without the effect of COVID-19.

Specific rehabilitation and resources are being identified for those with brain injuries, whose symptoms have worsened, often significantly, in the aftermath of contracting the virus and the rise in ‘Long Covid’ making recovery increasingly difficult, particularly among those with existing conditions.

By |2024-07-04T17:46:04+01:003 November 2020|News, Brain injury news|

New team of physios specialise in bladder and bowel issues

Patients with brain injury and other neuro conditions are being supported with pelvic, obstetric and gynaecological matters through a link-up between a clinic and specialist physiotherapist, believed to be the first of its kind.

Kirsten Barrett is part of the team at Neuro Physio Wales and supports its clients with issues including bladder and bowel issues and sexual dysfunction.

Access to such specialism is usually available via separate referral, but through Kirsten’s partnership with the clinic, patients are able to access the specialist support directly.

Kirsten, who has worked in pelvic, obstetric and gynaecological physiotherapy (POGP) for 15 years, is seeing a growing number of patients with neurological conditions, or who are living with a brain injury, spinal cord injury or stroke as part of her case load.

By |2024-07-04T17:46:04+01:003 November 2020|News, Brain injury news|

PhysioFunction setting the trend for telerehab

Having been an early adopter of telerehab, PhysioFunction was perhaps less daunted than most at the prospect of responding to the COVID-19 lockdown and ensuring their clients’ needs were met.

The specialist neuro physiotherapy practice has, for the past year, used video calls to enable its clients to receive one-to-one sessions in addition to those provided in person, with its staff supporting them to install and use the technology remotely.

It is also an early adopter of the MindMotion GO, a first-of-its-kind mobile neurorehabilitation therapy system which uses gaming to support the recovery of brain injury and neuro patients.

‘We were made homeless during lockdown, but our support won’t stop’

While trying to adapt to the many challenges of lockdown and ensure its support for people continued, Neuro Drop In was dealt the blow of having to move out of its premises. Founder Sharon Jackson explains how, despite the ongoing social restrictions, the Lancaster-based group have pulled even more tightly together to get through its unprecedented situation.

“Next year will mark the 21st anniversary of me being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It was a massive shock as I had a career and a family, I wasn’t ready to be disabled. I’m 62 now and have learnt to deal with it while still being able to live my life, but I know what a devastating thing it is to be given this diagnosis and the impact it can have on you and your loved ones.

By |2024-07-04T17:46:07+01:0026 October 2020|News, Inpatient neuro rehab|

Research shows effectiveness of remote case management

Remote working in case management can be a safe and effective means of interacting with clients, new research has found.

Three research projects commissioned and funded by CMSUK analysed how effective remote working and use of telerehabilitation could be in case management.

The projects - which assessed the barriers and challenges of remote working, the safety and quality of telerehabilitation, and its effectiveness - have demonstrated how effective it can be, supported by training for case managers where needed.

By |2024-07-04T17:46:07+01:0026 October 2020|News, Brain injury case management|

Meet Britain’s youngest care manager

A carer with a specialist brain injury rehabilitation provider has become the youngest care manager in the country aged only 23.

Chloe Gregory, a service manager who was inspired to go into specialist care aged 16 when she became the personal assistant to her cousin who has learning difficulties, has now secured accreditation from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) only seven years later. She recently passed the Fit Person Interview, an assessment by the CQC which confirms knowledge of compliance and legislation in a care environment, and is now believed to be the youngest accredited care manager anywhere in England. “For me, working in social care is so heart-warming. You’re able to give someone’s life so much more meaning and a much better quality of life and knowing there are so many things you can help them improve on,” says Chloe, who works at the Burton Road Care Home in Derby, owned by Voyage Care. The centre is a specialist facility for men with challenging behaviour.
By |2024-07-04T17:46:08+01:0021 October 2020|Inpatient neuro rehab, News|

Brain injury service developed for COVID patients

A specific post COVID-19 rehab service for people with brain injuries is being developed by a care provider.

The move comes in response to developing evidence showing the effects of the virus are wider-ranging and longer lasting than first thought. In support of those who are too debilitated to care for themselves at home in recovering from COVID-19, The Disabilities Trust has developed a specialist rehabilitation service, which it will offer in some of its 15 brain injury centres across England, Scotland and Wales. The residential programme, which include a period of between four and twelve weeks for holistic rehabilitation before being discharged home, will support brain injury survivors with factors including severe fatigue, chronic and distressing pain, low mood and weakness, all of which can be exacerbated by contracting the virus.
By |2024-07-04T17:46:48+01:0015 October 2020|News, Brain injury news|

Drew’s accessible gym revolution

Having had a career as an elite athlete abruptly ended through a freak accident, Drew Graham now dedicates himself to inspiring others through exercise. Drew’s Pop Up Gym - a dedicated facility in the North of England for people with spinal and neurological injuries, alongside a number of outreach sessions across the region to bring the service closer to those who need it - illustrates his passionate advocacy of fitness as a means of rehabilitation. Research has shown the benefits exercise can bring to people who have suffered brain injuries, with improved weight and stress management, emotional regulation, and increased strength, energy and attention all being directly linked to regular fitness sessions.

A crisis in people power

The recent report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) laid bare the scale of the work that must be done to ensure brain injury patients are properly cared for. To truly meet demand, it said, the UK needs 14,600 neuro-rehab, in-patient beds to meet an annual caseload of around 300,000 ABI admissions. Currently, there are just 4,600 beds nationwide. While this increase will undoubtedly add vital specialist resource to a sector which is badly in need, the report also acknowledged the growing shortage of neuro-rehab personnel.

By |2024-07-04T17:48:47+01:004 April 2019|Neuro rehab insights|
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