11 August 2016

New neuro-rehabilitation specialist beds open at Orpington Hospital as part of a successful joint King’s Health Partners bid to improve services.

Following a successful joint King’s Health Partners bid to provide neuro-rehabilitation services for patients in south east London in May, 14 new specialist beds have now been opened at Orpington Hospital, part of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. A further six specialist beds will open later in the year at the Pulross Centre in Brixton, part of Guy’s and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

Based on Ontario Ward, the reconfigured bed capacity will enable active, intense rehabilitation to be delivered, in liaison with community and navigational services, offering a comprehensive, holistic and integrated service.

The other six beds on Ontario Ward will continue to be used to deliver specialist care for patients recovering from neurosurgery, including the provision of a step down service as part of the recovery pathway.

The ward is also adjacent to the Frank Cooksey Rehabilitation Unit – a 15 bed level 1b/2a specialist rehabilitation unit, offering specialist, goal driven rehabilitation to patients who are aged16 or over and who have complex neurological disability. This creates the opportunity for enhanced co-working, effective skills and resource management, and includes shared access to psychiatric services, psychology, dietetics, social work, orthotic and a spasticity clinic.

The funding for these level 2b neuro-rehabilitation beds was provided following a bid by King’s College Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts, to collectively provide two inpatient rehabilitation units and a neuro-navigation service supported by a clinical pathway across mental and physical health.

The three partners will continue to work together to provide relevant expertise and related services for people with acquired brain injury, progressive neurological conditions, spinal cord injuries and other less usual neurological conditions. Together, they aim to ensure that these patients receive more joined-up care, better access to services, treatment in the most appropriate setting and a whole person approach to care which addresses mental and physical health needs.

Dr Emer McGilloway, Consultant and Clinical Lead for Rehabilitation at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust who will lead rehabilitation across the sites says: 

the lack of neurorehabilitation beds in southeast London has meant that we have been hampered in delivering the joined-up care that we know patients need and want. Effective partnership across inpatient services, community teams, mental health and voluntary agencies will enhance patients’ recovery empowering them to take control of their lives, fulfil their maximum potential and optimise their contribution to family life and their community.