Currently there are representatives from Holy cross Hospital, Haslemere, Surrey (Co-ordinator), School of Health and Rehabilitation, Keele University, Regional Rehab Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, Putney, Central England Rehabilitation Unit (CERU), Posture and Mobility Group and Barts Health NHS Trust.
Brain injury is BIG – Funding support
Brain Injury is BIG. BIG is a support group for people who have loved ones with devastating brain injuries. They may be severely disabled, in a persistent vegetative state, minimally aware/conscious or locked in.
BIG was started by Anne, Judy, Lois, Lynne and Sue. We came up with the idea when we got to know each other on the Devonshire Ward, Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in Putney. Although there are a number of support networks for brain injured families we wanted to use our personal experiences to establish a network of families to help each other. If this is how you feel, then BIG is for you.
Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, Putney
Founded in 1854 and set in picturesque grounds in Putney, the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability is the oldest independent hospital and medical charity in the UK.
There is something very different about the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability. We don’t just treat people with profound disabilities, we care for them as individuals, creating care plans that resonate with them on a personal level, and offering practical and emotional support to them and their families every step of their journey.
Balancing traditional practice with specialist therapies and life changing technologies, our work makes an important difference to the lives of profoundly disabled adults with acquired brain injuries and degenerative neurological conditions such as Huntington’s disease.
Central England Rehabilitation Unit (CERU)
Central England Rehabilitation Unit (CERU) is a national centre of excellence which has been established for over 20 years. Based at Leamington Spa Hospital the Unit is centrally located, offering patient focussed neuro rehabilitation services to communities throughout the country.
CERU offers 42 beds and is recognised as one of the top units for providing patients with specialist rehabilitation; it is the largest level 1 accredited facility available. Treatment is offered within a comfortable setting with access to state-of-the-art facilities. We understand how important family and friends are to the recovery of patients, so we offer support for families and aim to create a home-from-home environment which benefits both patients and visitors.
School of Health and Rehabilitation (SHAR), Keele University
The School of Health and Rehabilitation was established in the University in 1994 and since then has worked towards consolidation, growth and development of the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
The School has excellent links with local healthcare providers and liaises closely with other Schools across the University.
The staff involved in the delivery of education are committed to providing a rich educational experience for all students and a friendly and supportive environment.
Posture and Mobility Group (PMG)
Posture and Mobility Group (PMG) was set up in 1992 as a conference to advance and disseminate knowledge about the posture and wheeled mobility needs of people with disabilities.
We are now a membership organisation and Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the aim of sharing knowledge and promoting best practice in the field of posture and wheeled mobility. Currently, we have over 1,000 members, the majority of whom are professionals working in rehabilitation, focusing on the provision of wheelchairs and special seating.
One of our main activities as a CIO remains organising our annual conference, which allows professionals to come together to learn and share knowledge, view products in a large industry exhibition and network with colleagues. We have also expanded significantly since 1992 to provide a journal, research grants, additional training events, free bursary places for those new to the field, as well as a wealth of information about external training events, job vacancies, relevant news, best practice guidelines and other important publications and reports.
The Regional Hyperacute Rehabilitation Unit (RHRU)
The Regional Hyperacute Rehabilitation Unit (RHRU) is a Level 1 complex specialised rehabilitation service commissioned by NHS England and situated within the NHS London region.
It comprises a fully integrated facility of 24 beds primarily for patients with severe complex physical disability, including those with tracheostomy, low awareness state (prolonged disorders of consciousness, PDOC).
We regularly admit patients from major trauma centres, hyperacute stroke units, neurosciences centres as well as district general hospitals in London, Eastern (Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex) and Southern (Berkshire) regions.
The typical length of stay is around four to six weeks for assessments, and an average length of stay of three months for complex specialist rehabilitation or highly complex disability management. For patients requiring specialist rehabilitation, they need to be able to engage in intensive rehabilitation activities and the service is often more suited to patients in the younger age range.
Rehabilitation is underpinned by evidence based practice, with support from Clinical Specialists and an active research team based at the RRU and King’s College London.
Holy Cross Hospital
Holy Cross Hospital, Surrey provides highly specialised individualised rehabilitation and long-term care for people with extremely complex needs caused by profound injury or a serious neurological condition. Our areas of expertise include, disorders of consciousness, postural and physical management, complex, respiratory management, swallowing disorders and nutrition and assistive technology.
King's College London
