A vital brain injury rehabilitation service for Waveney clients is set for closure
NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board have given notice to Shaftesbury Icanho that it will not be renewing its contract for the service’s acquired brain rehabilitation satellite service in Bungay, impacting those with a Waveney GP.
Patients from the rest of Suffolk can continue to receive the service which is based at the main Shaftesbury Icanho branch in Stowmarket. The reason for this is cited as financial.
The Bungay satellite site gives access to highly specialised rehabilitation that does not otherwise exist in the Waveney area. The service supported 40 clients and families in the last year and is managed by a multi-disciplinary team of therapists.
“The Shaftesbury Icanho satellite service provides a lifeline to people in the locality. There is currently no other provision that matches Shaftesbury’s Icanho’s work in Waveney, supporting complex neuro rehabilitation cases
The people we work with have multiple disabilities as a result of their brain injury or stroke and need access to multiple therapy treatments to support with not just with physical recovery, but hidden disability which is less obvious; such as learning to speak again, relearning how to cook or go about organising daily life, returning to work or driving.
Essentially, we help people to readjust to what is often a traumatic event and major change in their lives. This requires a specialist team of therapists who work together in a coordinated way to help people put their lives back on track.
This service is not an add on, it is essential for those impacted by an acquired brain injury and ceasing supporting clients in Waveney is of huge concern for our work in this area.”
Jane Percy, Executive Director for Care Operations
The Oxford Vascular Study found that between 2002-2010 and 2010-2018, there was a 67% increase in stroke incidence among younger adults aged under 55. The personal impact on those experiencing a brain injury or stroke as well as on their families are devastating and life-changing. In an instant, anyone can sustain a long- or short-term disability which affects livelihood, relationships and lifestyle.
Shaftesbury Icanho has been supporting clients since 1998, creating bespoke rehabilitation packages from Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, a Social Worker and Rehabilitation Assistants.
Sara Hazzard, Assistant Director at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and co-chair of the Community Rehabilitation Alliance, said:
“It is deeply troubling that this vital service has not been renewed. Person-centred rehabilitation following a stroke or brain injury is not a nice-to-have. Quality rehabilitation is the key to support someone to live their life in good health. Regular rehabilitation is what people are supposed to have.
Unfortunately, we are hearing of more cuts to rehab services. This is not only devastating for individuals but has a knock-on effect for the rest of the NHS. These cuts are short-sighted.
When rehab services are in place they help avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions, and reduce ambulance queues, missed A&E waiting time targets, and harmful long stays.
Services like this need to be respected, resourced, and retained for the value they provide for individuals and the NHS as a whole.”
The service provides a lifeline to those living in the Waveney area, as there is no other provision of this kind locally. Other cross county providers have expressed concern that there is no space in services at neighbouring boroughs, nor at hospitals, who currently refer into the service providing specialist brain injury rehabilitation not replicated elsewhere.
“After my Stroke aged 47, Icanho provided me superb targeted rehabilitation and support during the most challenging and lowest point of my life. Icanho afforded me the skills, belief and motivation to achieve what I once felt impossible. The service provides an outstanding care model to those with acquired brain injuries, their families and carers.”
Paul, client of Shaftesbury Icanho
The end of the contract represents a serious lack of service provision for those needing specialist rehabilitation treatment following a traumatic or acquired brain injury (including stroke) in Waveney. Those needing support will fall victim to a postcode lottery. People across the rest of Suffolk will be supported, but the service will no longer be available for those living in Waveney.
In addition to the usual rehabilitation work, the Waveney service has recently launched a very popular monthly Neuro Café for people with neurological conditions and their families, to provide a community for those wanting to get support and connect with others.
The service has received overwhelming support from the local and national brain injury rehabilitation community expressing concern around this cull of provision.
For more information: https://icanho.org.uk/