Neurological rehabilitation unit, Barnsley
Information for professionals
Who we are
We are a purpose built ward on the leafy grounds of Kendray Hospital, Barnsley. We provide specialist rehabilitation for people with long term neurological conditions. Our ward consists of 12 en-suite bedrooms with excellent facilities and a full range of clinical staff.
Who’s referred into our service
The neurological rehabilitation unit provides specialist rehabilitation for adults aged 18 and over with a long term neurological condition including:
- Acquired brain injury/sub arachnoid haemorrhage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Parkinson’s disease
- Ataxia
- Brain tumours
- Post spinal surgery
- Transverse myelitis
- Paraparesis of neurological origin
- Spinal injuries following assessment on a specialist spinal unit
- Inflammatory/acute immune neurological disorders
An acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain that results in damage to living tissue of the brain, causing permanent or
temporary changes to its structure. This includes traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid haemorrhage, hypoxic brain injury, meningitis, encephalitis and toxic conditions affecting brain function. Brain injury can significantly affect many cognitive, physical, sensory, behavioural and psychological skills.
The unit provides care and early rehabilitation for patients with profound and complex disabilities, including those in low awareness states – and those with a tracheostomy – who have the potential for recovery, are medically stable and are
able to tolerate active rehabilitation.
What we do
Due to the changing nature of patients’ conditions, patients may need continuous access to a 24 hour coordinated assessment and rehabilitation stay, within a specialist setting. This helps their recovery and improves and maintains their functional abilities within the community, resulting in the prevention of further hospital admissions. It also helps to maintain their independence and reduce the support required at home, whilst providing continued support and education for relatives and carers. This reduces the cost of care in the long term.
All patients admitted to the unit receive a 2 week period of initial assessment by our specialist team, followed by goal-centred therapeutic interventions which are based on each individual’s needs.
We have a weekly multi-disciplinary team meeting where family meetings and discharges are planned and goals are set, ensuring consistency in our approach.
Our aims
- Maximise the rehabilitation potential of people with complex neurological disabilities
- Help patients develop the knowledge and skills needed for physical, cognitive, psychological and social function
- Facilitate their effective transition from inpatient to community based services
- Provide high quality, comprehensive and holistic rehabilitation services
- Promote service user independence
- Ensure that rehabilitation is accessible and delivered at the most appropriate time in the patient’s care pathway
Why would someone choose our service?
Excellent facilities
- The unit provides single sex, en-suite, individual accommodation within a mixed sex environment, meeting privacy and dignity standards.
- We have a large and comfortable lounge area with a TV and games.
- The dining area is light and spacious.
- We have extensive outdoor space onsite, a well-equipped gym and therapy kitchen which all support the rehab process.
Assistive technology
We have four rooms which are equipped with assistive technology. These products and services allow increased levels of independence for patients with very complex needs. For example, environmental controls can enable users to operate door openers, computers and other household appliances with a single accessible device.
Great results
We gained our UKROC accreditation in 2015. The data collected by UKROC shows that:
- We have a shorter length of stay than other, similar units (our average length of stay is 59 nights)
- 96% of our highly complex patients show functional improvement during their stay
- This improvement saves £1661 per week in post-rehab community care
Full range of clinical staff
Staff work together with service users and their families to deliver the right care for the patient. They provide a friendly and welcoming environment which helps with rehabilitation.
Our range of clinical staff includes:
- Doctor/consultant who reviews medication weekly
- Nurses trained in neurology and/or rehabilitation
- Dietitian who monitors a patient’s diet and fluid intake and advises if any diet supplements are required
- Occupational therapist who assesses cognitive abilities and ability to manage daily tasks
- Physiotherapist who assesses physical difficulties including tone, coordination and balance
- Speech and language therapist who assesses communication and swallowing
- Psychologist who assesses emotions and behaviours
- Nursing assistants / therapy assistants who support the nurses and therapists
- Social worker who assists in discharge planning and arranges packages of care on discharge
- Pharmacy staff who review medication on admission and throughout the inpatient stay
- Housekeeper who keeps the ward environment clean and tidy
- Admin staff who carries out administrative tasks
- Porter who moves equipment are delivers supplies to the ward
100% of those surveyed said they would be extremely likely to recommend our unit to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like additional information on referrals, please call one of the team:
Unit manager
01226 434279
Nurses’ station MDT
01226 644324 / 01226 644322
If you would like to visit us, please get in touch and we’d be happy to show you.
Where we are
Kendray Hospital
Doncaster Road
Barnsley
S70 3RD
We’re easy to reach:
• 2.5 miles from the M1 Junction 37
• 1.5 miles from Barnsley Railway Station
• 20 miles from Sheffield City Centre
• 65 miles from Hull
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