Cygnet Health Care is set to expand the services available at Cygnet Hospital Taunton with the opening of a new specialist Neurocognitive Treatment & Care Pathway for adults with neurological conditions and associated mental health needs.
The new pathway has been developed to support people living with conditions such as dementia, Huntington’s disease, alcohol-related brain damage and acquired brain injury, many of whom require highly specialised inpatient care.
The service will provide an integrated model of care, bringing together expertise in neuropsychiatry, neurorehabilitation and complex nursing within one dedicated pathway.
Designed for adults aged 18 and over, the pathway will support individuals with moderate to severe cognitive impairment, complex behaviours, co-existing psychiatric conditions and significant physical health needs.
The new service has been created in response to increasing demand for specialist neurocognitive care and is aligned with national guidance and best practice frameworks, including NICE guidance, the NHS Long Term Plan and rehabilitation standards from the British Society of Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine.
A key focus of the pathway will be helping individuals to maintain independence, quality of life and dignity, even where conditions may be progressive or long-term.
The pathway follows a five-stage model of care, from referral and comprehensive assessment through to stabilisation, maintenance and future care planning. Each individual will receive a personalised care plan tailored to their cognitive, emotional, behavioural and physical health needs.
Care will be delivered by an interdisciplinary team including psychiatry, nursing, neuropsychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy, alongside wider specialist input where required.
Cygnet Health Care regional medical director for neuropsychiatry (South) Kumi Pillay said: “We are proud to be extending the support we offer at Cygnet Hospital Taunton, ensuring more people who need help can access timely support.
“This pathway recognises that people living with complex neurocognitive conditions often need much more than traditional rehabilitation alone.
“Our focus is on providing active, person-centred care that helps individuals maintain function, stability, identity and quality of life, while also supporting families and carers through what can often be a very challenging journey.
“By bringing together neuropsychiatric expertise, rehabilitation approaches and complex nursing care within one integrated service, we are creating a pathway that is designed to meet people’s needs over the long term and deliver meaningful outcomes.”
The service will place a strong emphasis on meaningful daily activity and families and carers will also play an important role in care planning and ongoing support.
Alongside stabilisation and treatment, the pathway will support individuals to move into the least restrictive and most appropriate long-term environments wherever possible, helping to reduce unnecessary hospital stays and improve continuity of care.
The Neurocognitive Treatment & Care Pathway is expected to open at Cygnet Hospital Taunton, on Orchard Portman this Summer.
Alongside the new ward, the hospital will continue to provide an acute mental health service for men and women, and a high dependency complex care service for men with learning disabilities.
Learn more about Cygnet at cygnetgroup.com
