Case managers and service providers across the UK have embraced new ways of working during the COVID-19 pandemic which could become commonplace going forward, but concerns still persist about the lasting effects practically and financially, a new report has found.
Though the adoption of technology and remote means of client engagement, rehabilitation has continued to be provided in ways that will most likely become part of the ‘new normal’.
The Coronavirus – Impact on Rehabilitation report also highlights how by using ‘telerehab’, clients can feel more connected to their service providers, as more time is freed up for communication by taking out travelling time.
Angela Kerr, managing director of AKA Associates and chair of BABICM, highlighted the importance of being able to break traditional sessions down into shorter online sessions, to give greater regularity of contact with clients.
She said that running 10, 20 or 30-minute ‘bitesize’ sessions can help overcome some of the cognitive drain seen in hour-long sessions for someone recovering from a brain injury.
However, she adds that there can be no substitute for some level of face-to-face interaction.
“Clients may paint a good picture but you can’t see what is being hidden when you’re not there. Sometimes you feel that things aren’t ringing true. You’ll not get that feeling if you’re not in the environment,” says Angela.
For independent businesses, the financial impact of the pandemic continues to have a significant effect, with the lack of clarity around when it will end a big ongoing factor. The report found that a quarter of those surveyed expect the industry will still be feeling the effects of the current turbulence two years into the future.
“The big concern is that we don’t see the future clearly yet,” says Toby Carlsson, owner of Pace Rehabilitation.
“For independent businesses like Pace, it’s been a big disruption commercially and we have yet to see the full fallout.
“Thankfully, I do believe that even in six months, we’ll have adjusted to the new normal and look back at this period (which is now hopefully nearing the end) and it will feel like a weird and distant dream.”
The report, from Irwin Mitchell, consults various key practitioners in rehabilitation from around the country, with consensus around the importance of using digital means now and into the future, as well as concerns as to when the COVID-19 restrictions will end.
Reflecting on the report, case managers agreed with the findings.
Alison Baker, managing director of ILS Case Management, says: “Our virtual platforms have enabled us to continue to provide client centred case management; including managing care teams for clients.
“A definite advantage of the technology is the speed with which virtual meetings can be organised for clients, from meet and greet appointments to multi-disciplinary team meetings. And the clients love not having to ‘tidy up’ beforehand!”
Martin Gascoigne, owner of Neuro Case Management UK, says that while his business and its near 100-staff across four offices have successfully adapted, there have also been significant challenges.
“The main issues that we faced were with the Government changing the rules from one week to the next, and also that all of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was ring fenced and allocated to the NHS frontline staff,” he says.
“Due to this, we needed to develop strong links and work in partnership with many manufacturers around the UK so that we were able to build up a panel of specialists who we could go to for advice, support or assistance, ensuring that all of our staff remained as safe as possible.
“It has been a difficult year for us all and NCMUK is proud to continue to be able to offer all of the same services we could provide at the beginning of the year.”
