Care & services
A new entrant to the UK’s neurological care field is planning continuing expansion after acquiring its first four sites.
Renovo Care was formed late last year through the purchases of two specialist neuro care centres - Glenside Hospital, near Salisbury, and Hollanden Park Hospital in Hildenborough, Kent - alongside two residential services, Victoria House in Farnborough and Swanborough House in Brighton. Now, with the appointment of chief executive Peter Kinsey, the group is looking at further additions to its specialist portfolio, as well as investing in its current sites and offering.
Three hospitals globally have enabled patients to continue their rehabilitation remotely through the use of groundbreaking rehab technology, which was donated for use by its creators.
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) in London, Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and Fondazione Don Gnocchi in Milan have all been given use of the Evolv Rehabkit, which allows the prescription of personalised telerehabilitation activities for people to complete remotely. The initiative was a joint approach from medtech company Evolv, alongside Microsoft and ZOTAC.
A specialist neurological centre is continuing to invest in its offering as it increases therapy and rehab provision for patients.
Chase Park Neuro Centre has developed its facilities over several years, with a hydropool and gym area being added in 2007 to increase therapy opportunities for residents, but efforts have redoubled since being acquired in 2016. Under the ownership of Dr Niraj Brahmabhatt, Chase Park has brought its external therapy and psychological support services in-house, with a neuropsychologist now based on site.
Music therapy should be commonplace in frontline care, particularly during the times of isolation brought about by the pandemic, a leading clinician and teacher has said.
Professor Kathleen Howland says the power of music can have an immeasurable impact on patients, from those in recovery through to those at the end of their lives. “I absolutely contend that music should be a frontline resource. For someone dying in isolation, music is the sound of love. It can help with grief in a way that nothing else can touch,” says Kathleen, who has practiced in music therapy for over 35 years.
A family whose beloved husband and father had a stroke are fundraising for the neurological centre where he currently resident, after being impressed by the “amazing” standards of care.
Fraser Millar needed life-saving brain surgery in November last year and is now in Woodlands Neurological Care Centre in York, receiving intensive rehabilitation to aid his recovery. Woodlands, a level two neurorehabilitation centre which is part of Active Care Group, specialises in maximising recovery and independence and sets patients rehabilitation goals that promote re-enablement and enhance quality of life.
After Craig Pankhurst had a stroke, he saw the need to promote a greater positive outlook amongst survivors. Here, the successful former athlete and businessman discusses his new venture - A Stroke of Luck, a charity dedicated to post-stroke exercise-based recovery - and why survivors need their very own A Teams.
With a background as an elite international swimmer and successful business owner, it’s little surprise that Craig Pankhurst is pushing forward his latest venture with the drive and determination which have been the staples of his professional life so far. But his latest venture is one with a difference - far from the high-pressured worlds of top-level sport and corporate demands, Craig is now creating significant momentum around a charity which seeks to support people in rebuilding their lives after a stroke.
As the roadmap out of lockdown is revealed, many are daring to see the light at the end of a long and dark tunnel, after months of huge challenges for neurorehab centres. Here, Jules Leahy at STEPS reflects on many difficult months and discusses how optimism is returning.
“The early days of the pandemic were very scary for centres like ours. With little access to PPE, we had to resort to making our own out of bin bags when supplies just weren’t coming through, and sourcing our own was hugely expensive as it was so in demand. We also had to fight hard to avoid COVID getting into the centre, which could have caused a deadly outbreak among our clients, all of whom are very vulnerable.
A charity which supports children with brain injuries and their families is investing in the future of its operation by introducing new facilities and services, alongside expanding its community offering into new areas of the country.
The Children’s Trust has revealed plans to create a state-of-the-art centre of excellence on its site in Tadworth, Surrey, replacing its current school, which will help support the education, health, care and therapy needs of each young person who needs its services. As part of its five-year strategy, the charity is also aiming to introduce five new services by 2024, the first of which will be its use of robotics and digital transformation.
With the creation of a ‘visiting pod’ - a specially-built room with a perspex screen - patients at Woodlands Neurological Rehabilitation Centre have been able to enjoy precious meetings with their loved ones during lockdown in the security of COVID-19 safe surroundings.
“We have tried so hard to be reactive to patients’ needs throughout the pandemic and the fast-changing situation, and were all too aware that visits from families are vital for their mental wellbeing,” reflects Dr Marina Platts, clinical director at Woodlands, in York. “We had some workmen in the building at the time, so wondered whether we could create a little place where families and patients could get together in a safe way. “Through the creation of our visiting pod, that was allowed to happen, at a time when most other places couldn’t accommodate it. Thankfully, through us having a side entrance right next to the pod, families could come and go without coming into contact with anyone else.
In April last year, due to a rare neurological disorder, Barry Whaite could only move his head independently. But by the time the country emerged from the first lockdown in August, he had regained the ability to walk. Here, he shares his story.
“I had initially been suffering from a chest infection and was taking antibiotics and steroids, as prescribed by my GP. I was not improving and eventually I fell a couple of times, then on 17 February last year, I was unable to stand up. An ambulance came and took me to the Royal Preston Hospital, where after an MRI, a CT scan and a lumbar puncture, I was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS). I was given an immune therapy drug to stop the illness progressing to my lungs. I was now totally helpless, needing a hoist to move me.
