Website of the Department of Health

The 5 R’s, Sue Ryder care, Ipswich

5 'R’s is a service which currently runs one day per week at Sue Ryder Care Centre, Ipswich for people with M.S. It is a 10-week planned programme of alternative therapies, information, and support aimed at maintaining independence and building confidence.

In addition a bolt on ‘carers course’ is offered where the carer of the person with MS can attend a separate course for 5 weeks which runs simultaneously so that they are able to attend without anxiety of finding respite for their relative.

• The 5 R's, Sue Ryder care, Ipswich

Community Neuro-disability Unit, The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, London

The Community Neuro-disability Unit meets the disability and nursing needs of people with profound neuro-disabilities in the community and helps them to remain at home. The service works in partnership with primary health, social care and other agencies. Care provision is seamless so that people can move from one service to another dependent upon their needs.

• Community Neuro-disability Unit, The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, London

Complex Care Service, West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre

Complex Care is a unique service, which has been designed to work closely with District Nurses, Community Health Care Coordinators and Discharge Liaison Nurses, to provide care to patients with complex needs within their own home. The service provides care, which can be from one-hour visits daily to 24-hour care, for patients with complex care needs. It also operates a fast track discharge system for terminally ill patients.

The service has recently piloted a new recruitment process. This two-phase recruitment process includes the initial short listing via usual Trust recruitment procedures followed by a second phase in which the patient is involved in the interview stage. The patient themselves select their own questions and carry out part of the interview using a scoring system.

• Complex Care Service, West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre

Connections Project, Edinvar Community Care Company Ltd, Edinburgh

Connections is unique in that it is one of very few projects offering support to people with an acquired brain injury (ABI), even though they may continue to misuse alcohol and other substances. The project aims to promote independent living and social inclusion through provision of emotional support to service users in their relationships with others, the situation in which they are living and in connection with life events and practical support finding and retaining appropriate accommodation, establishing and maintaining relationships with friends and others, and in undertaking a range activities to promote community integration. Workers in the project are always keen to speak to others, and to impart and learn from their experiences.

• Connections Project, Edinvar Community Care Company Ltd, Edinburgh

A Huntington’s Disease Service at The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, London

The Huntington’s Disease Service provides specialist in-patient assessment, treatment, disability management, long-term care and respite placements for people with Huntington’s disease. There are more than 40 residents with this condition - probably the largest unit in the UK. Respite services ensure that this support is also available for people who continue to live at home.

• Huntington's Disease Service at The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, London

*Independent Living Team, Nottingham

One aim of the team is to enable people to remain living in their own homes. The team runs an independent living bungalow that enables people to develop independent living skills, and they ensure that individuals maximise their own incomes through welfare rights information and by accessing the Independent Living Fund. The team has also been recognised for developing specialist private home care provision for this group of people.

• Independent Living Team, Nottingham

Kent House, Aylesbury

Kent House is part of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust.

• Kent House, Aylesbury

* London Care Connections

London Care Connections combines practical, personal care provision with support in maintaining connections with everyday life, using home-based care and support services

• London Care Connections

LTNC Disability Management Guidelines, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Putney

Long-term neurological conditions disability management guidelines were devised to assist the transfer of clients with complex neuro-disability to other service providers eg nursing homes. They identify the current guidance related to the overall management of an individual, including postural management , physical treatment and management of communication, swallowing, feeding etc. A booklet in a standardised format is produced as part of the discharge plan.

• LTNC Disability Management Guidelines, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Putney

Mimosa House, Acquired Brain Injury Service, Oldham

Mimosa House supports individuals with ABI in whatever capacity needed through a smooth transition into becoming independent again, re-establishing themselves into their own community when they are ready through the assistance of qualified staff. Mimosa House is a supported living facility with 5 individual flats, where tenants rent and staff are provided within the establishment.

• Mimosa House, Acquired Brain Injury Service, Oldham

Optua Community Brain Injury Services, Suffolk

Optua is a leading disability organisation in Suffolk, providing a range of services to disabled people. Rethink aims to give disabled people opportunities to play an active part in the community and to recognise their right to equal participation in every aspect of life.

• Optua Community Brain Injury Services, Suffolk

*Physical Disability and Sensory Services Care Group, Hampshire Social Services

Through the care group, Hampshire Social Services has focused on the development of staff skills to respond to the needs of people with a physical disability, with the introduction of condition-specific training since January 2003. The Hampshire Social Services Learning and Development Team has worked with the care group to commission a series of half-day and whole-day workshops on neurological conditions.

• Physical Disability and Sensory Services Care Group

Volunteer Training Group, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Putney

The social and recreational services department provides a comprehensive range of leisure activities to suit individuals in long-term care at the Hospital. The Volunteers Service is an integral part of this service, providing support and access to leisure for such individuals.

The Volunteer Training Group is a local initiative providing support to volunteers working with people with severe communication needs within in-patient and long-term residential settings.

• Volunteer Training Group, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Putney