New unit provides faster rehabilitation for trauma patients
Trauma victims with life-changing injuries are now getting rehabilitation faster in a new specialist unit at The Royal London hospital.
Eight dedicated beds in the major trauma centre mean patients with complex disabilities following a traffic accident or fall can quickly receive the range of rehabilitation they need.
The enhanced service is part of a £5 million investment to provide quicker and fairer access to rehabilitation for patients at all four major trauma centres covering London.
The Rapid Access Acute Rehabilitation (RAAR) service brings together a wide range of disciplines and therapies such as physio, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, neurology, neuropsychology and neuropsychiatry.
Strong evidence shows that the delivery of specialist rehabilitation in the first 3 months post-trauma significantly improves long-term outcomes.
One survivor who has used the service is 58-year-old Paul Bragg from Basildon who suffered a brain injury when he fell 30 feet as he was taking down Christmas decorations in a local shopping centre in January 2023.
Paul was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he was treated for multiple traumatic injuries with part of his recovery including being transferred to a RAAR bed.
“The team and the staff have been lovely and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of my recovery,” Paul said.
For Paul’s family, the RAAR team helped put them at ease, with his partner, Tracey Castle saying she has seen an improvement every time she visits and feels more involved in his treatment. His care has now continued at home where he is able to be surrounded by his family and receive further care close by.
Previously, trauma victims often faced a long wait in hospital with limited access to specialist support, putting them at risk of additional complications such as infections. Now waiting times for rehab are reduced, and patients don’t need to spend as much time in hospital, which also frees up beds for less urgent cases.
Harri Silva, a consultant neurologist at the trust, said: “We are excited to launch this unique service at the Royal London, as having a more coordinated and intensive acute rehabilitation service will help deliver the very best care to patients who have experienced major trauma and life changing illnesses.”
The introduction of RAAR is part of the North East London’s (NEL) ambition is to give patients with traumatic brain injury and neurological disorders access to the care they need close to home. The NEL Integrated Care Board is working with stakeholders to provide the resources for additional local longer term specialist rehabilitation beds and community rehabilitation teams.