NICE recognises vital role of specialist case management in new neuro-rehab guidance

The British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management (BABICM) has welcomed the publication of new NICE guidance on Rehabilitation for Chronic Neurological Disorders Including Acquired Brain Injury.

The organisation, which represents professionals working in brain injury and complex case management, referred to the guidance as ‘a landmark moment for the field of case management and for everyone working to support people with complex neurological needs.’

A key recommendation within the new guidance is that every person requiring neurorehabilitation should have a single point of contact that crosses organisational boundaries.

This recommendation represents a major endorsement of the principles that BABICM members have championed for more than 30 years.

It recognises the central role of specialist case management in delivering truly person-centred, integrated care.

Louise Chance, chair of BABICM, said: “This recognition by NICE is a significant milestone — not just for case managers, but for every professional dedicated to improving the lives of people with complex neurological conditions.

“It reflects decades of advocacy, research, and collaborative learning within BABICM, and we’re immensely proud of our members’ contributions to shaping national policy.”

BABICM made a substantial contribution to the development of this new national framework.

Of the six academic papers underpinning the recommendation for Case Management, two were authored by teams led by BABICM members, and in total four publications from within our membership directly informed the evidence base.

Two BABICM members served on the NICE guideline committee, bringing extensive experience from their long-standing involvement in BABICM’s development, governance, and practice.

The practice-based knowledge and lived experience shared through BABICM were crucial in shaping the committee’s understanding, ensuring that the realities of case management were meaningfully reflected in the national recommendations.

While NICE acknowledges that full implementation of the new framework may take up to a decade, the publication marks a crucial turning point, BABICM believes.

It affirms the value of skilled, integrative case management for individuals with acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions — both within and beyond the litigation context, the organisation said.