Opinion
NR Times reports on a new rehabilitation approach taking place in Cambridgeshire.
Despite a year of relentless change and upheaval for all involved in neuro-rehab, one provider in Cambridgeshire has been able to keep its ongoing development on track.
In a former life in newspapers, it was at this time of year that the dreaded churn of annual reviews and previews came... Ups and downs of the months gone by and ill- informed soothsaying for the year ahead served only to plug the festive news glut. Pity the junior reporter seeking their highlights of 2020. This year feels less a series of chronological news events and more a mighty tempest that has shaken our entire reality off course.
By David Withers, partner at Irwin Mitchell.
In serious injury cases, the parties can often disagree about whether an injured person has a need for a hydrotherapy pool. The installation, and subsequent maintenance, costs of a hydrotherapy pool are significant. This is often one of the most contentious heads of loss that arises in a serious injury case. Legal position In tort, the principle of “restitution in integrum” applies. This means that insofar as is possible the injured person should be put back in the position that they would have been in but for the negligence [see Livingstone – v – Rawyards Coal Co (1980) 5 App Cas 25]. This is often known as the full compensation principle.
Natalie Mackenzie, of BIS Services, has worked with 'James' since 2002. In fact, he was one of her earlier clients in her career. She is immensely proud of the challenges he has overcome; not all of the effects of the accident have been surmounted, but none the less he has exceeded many expectations of medical professionals, with a will of iron and an exceptional talent that is finally being acknowledged. Here she shares the experience.
James is not defined by his brain injury, but his experiences and the challenges of his TBI have moulded his work and the individual we now see. As we are all aware, living with a severe TBI is a lifelong journey, and I still support Jim in the community, and have continued to do so whilst he has travelled around the world, through the now ‘normal’ virtual rehabilitation.
I have watched his art bring meaning and focus to his daily life, encouraging a motivation and structure that is always needed for individuals like James managing their cognition. Although there remain issues with some areas of function, James has learnt, consolidated and implemented a toolbox of strategies that support him to pursue his passion and bring joy to others.
It has been a pleasure to work with someone as driven as James, and I have seen him take a turbulent journey through his recovery, which I am sure many professionals in the field can relate with.
Five brain injury professionals spanning dietetics, case management, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy share what they've learnt from to shift to virtual therapy.
At the start of the pandemic, many statutory rehab services were redeployed, and some independent therapy teams closed or therapists moved back into frontline work within the NHS and community. A group of private therapists in the North West of England started keeping in touch on social media and in weekly group support sessions to share their fears and concerns, and identify the strengths that helped them survive in such challenging times.
COVID-19 has presented many challenges for brain injury patients, with the cancellation of groups and appointments meaning a pause in their rehabilitation. Here, Paul shares his story of how his experience of the past few months has left him dreading the impending ‘second wave’.
I sustained a brain injury just over 18 months ago now. It was in circumstances many people describe as a ‘freak injury’ but I really hate that description, as I’m constantly well aware I probably now seem like a freak, thanks to my condition. I was decorating at home, something I never do, but we were trying to save some money so I thought I’d give it a go. I was standing on some ladders which were a bit wobbly, but they seemed fine for a DIY novice such as myself.
The thorny issue of bereavement damages in fatal accident cases has recently raised its head again on one of my cases, writes associate solicitor Lauren Haas. Since so few of the families I encounter are aware of bereavement damages it may be useful to summarise the current law in this area and set out what the potential issues are.
What are bereavement damages? Bereavement damages are a fixed sum of money which can be claimed on the unlawful death of a loved one. They are separate from any financial dependency claim, which can of course also be brought.
A day in the life of Peggy, the resident feline at Stanley House, Elysium Neurological’s care centre in Herefordshire.
Who said ‘cats have it easy’? It’s really not that simple, after all not all the staff and residents here speak or understand ‘Felis catus’. For those who aren’t acquainted with Latin, the language of all well-educated feline divas, it simply means domestic cat. So you can see how exhausting it can be trying to get my own way, lots of long luxurious rests are the name of this game!
Game changing neuro-rehab opportunities are emerging as a result of the coronavirus crisis, argues health and social care investment expert Boda Gallon.
The Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been multi layered. Yes, we’re faced with a fragmented health and social care system, continued uncertainty, and a gloomy economic outlook. There are, however, positive opportunities for investment and service redesign within NR and the wider specialist healthcare marketplace.
Natalie Mackenzie and Eky Popat of brain injury rehabilitation service BIS Services on managing the cultural challenges in community rehabilitation.
Back in 2011 one of our team asked why there was a significant lack of consideration towards cultural differences within brain injury rehabilitation. It was not the first time we’d heard this question, but it further sowed the seed for a topic that is persistent and pertinent within our working practices at BIS Services, and a matter for discussion and change that must continue throughout the field. Most certainly, recent years have seen an increase in consideration and discussion regarding cultural competency and its importance in rehabilitation, which is reassuring, although the se are still challenges that we must continually consider.
By Rae Hughes, clinical psychologist and Pete Fleming, clinical tutor and consultant clinical neuropsychologist.
Adjusting to life after a brain injury involves coming to terms with, and adapting to, changes, which often span multiple areas of a person’s life, such as hobbies, employment, and interpersonal relationships. Understandably for many individuals, their life following a brain injury can look completely different to before.
