Oxford Centre for Enablement
INFORMATION BOOKLET
Neurological
Rehabilitation
Service
CORE VALUES
We believe that disabled people should be respected and
treated as full members of society. They should expect equal
opportunities and the services will respect individual
differences in culture, religion, race, age and ability, including:
Access to effective and efficient health and social care.
Information that is appropriate, accessible, accurate, timely and
relevant. To enable individuals to make informed choices and to
participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Choice about every aspect of their lives and if necessary,
assistance with the expression and implementation of their wishes.
Participation in society and responsibilities, commensurate with
their abilities.
Consultation and involvement in the planning of services along
with users families, voluntary organisations with specialist expertise
and other appropriate groups.
CONTENTS
 About the Oxford Centre for Enablement.
 What is rehabilitation?
 Rehabilitation team roles.
 Rehabilitation team roles continued.
 How long does rehabilitation take?
 How is my rehabilitation programme co-ordinated?
 How can I make the most of my rehabilitation?
 How long will I stay?
 The importance of family and friends.
 Discharge planning.
 What are my rights and responsibilities?
 Giving consent.
 Access to information – your medical record.
 Your responsibilities.
 Comments or complaints.
 Further information about the Neurological Rehabilitation Service.
 Contact details.
The aim of this booklet is to provide information about the
Neurological Rehabilitation Service at the Oxford Centre for
Enablement. It is written for patients, families, friends and
for professionals. It is designed to help answer some of the
questions you may have.
If your questions are not
addressed in this booklet or the accompanying leaflets, a
member of staff will be more than happy to talk with you.
ABOUT THE OXFORD CENTRE FOR ENABLEMENT
The Oxford Centre for Enablement (OCE) is a purpose built centre
which provides specialist neurological rehabilitation and disability
services within Oxford. The OCE is part of the site of the Nuffield
Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust in Headington.
The services included are the:
 Neurological Rehabilitation Service
 Continuing Disability Management Service
 Posture, Independence and Mobility Service
 Prosthetics Service
 Orthotics Service
The Neurological Rehabilitation Service provides in-patient and outpatient services for adults with disabilities following neurological
injury or illness, (for example, strokes and head injuries) for the
people of Oxfordshire and beyond.
When writing or speaking to the Hospital, please quote your NHS
number.
THE REHABILITATION PROCESS
WHAT IS REHABILITATION?
Neurological rehabilitation is a process which starts following your
injury or illness. We use a system which puts you and your goals at
the centre of your rehabilitation programme. As a team we work
with you and your family towards reaching your maximum level of
functioning in daily life. We assist you to relearn or to find new
ways of doing activities.
Your rehabilitation programme is based upon rehabilitation goals
that are set with you and your family/carers, following a detailed
assessment looking at all different aspects of your care and needs.
Assessment will be on-going throughout your stay and will be
reviewed and regularly updated. A team approach will be taken at
all times and your goals are central to the process.
REHABILITATION TEAM ROLES
Staff and volunteers within the Centre are identified by their name
badges.
Medical
Doctors oversee your rehabilitation programme; investigate and
treat medical issues, monitor your progress and provide information
about medications, test results and follow up.
Nursing
You will have a primary nurse who, with your nursing team, will be
responsible for your care on the ward. Nurses are available 24
hours a day to assist you and will actively promote independence
by teaching, coaching and supporting you to do as much for
yourself as possible.
Occupational Therapy
The Occupational Therapists aim to enable you to maximise your
participation in aspects of your life that are most important to you.
This may include looking at domestic and personal care tasks,
social skills, work, leisure and community activities.
The
Occupational Therapists will also assess any equipment needs that
you might have, to ensure your safety and independence at home
and in the community.
Physiotherapy
The Physiotherapists aim to help you to improve your movement
and physical abilities. This may involve work on muscle strength,
balance and co-ordination.
This is done through individual
programmes, which will include treatment, the use of mobility
equipment, practice of functional tasks and, in some cases,
hydrotherapy.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical/Counselling Psychologists and other Psychological
therapists apply psychology to a range of problems that can occur
after head injury, stroke or other neurological conditions. They see
people who may be depressed, anxious or worried about how they
are coping, as well as those who are having difficulties with
memory, concentration or problem solving.
They are also available to provide support and counselling to assist
you and your family members (adults and children) during the
rehabilitation period. A Relationship and Psychosexual Therapist is
also available to help you adjust to the impact your illness or injury
has had on your relationship.
Speech and Language Therapy
Provides individually tailored rehabilitation programmes for you if
you have speech, language, cognitive, voice or swallowing
problems.
Dietetics
The Dietician will assess your nutritional needs and provide support
and advice on any dietary issues while you are in the centre and for
the future.
Social Work
Provide assistance with financial, accommodation and legal
concerns and are involved in organising community support
services.
Pastoral Care
Chaplains are available to help you and your relatives in your
personal and spiritual response to your situation. Chaplains and
pastors of most faiths can be asked to visit you. Please ask a
member of staff to arrange a visit for you if required.
The centre has close links with voluntary agencies involved with
people with conditions such as head injury and stroke. Information
is available on notice boards around the centre or do ask a member
of staff for information. A Family Support Worker from Headway
visits regularly and is happy to meet with patients and or their
families at their request.
Research
The Oxford Centre for Enablement is also a centre for research
into, and development of, rehabilitation services. Some patients
may be asked to take part in a research project. If you are asked to
participate, the purpose and what it will entail will be explained and
your permission sought. All such projects are registered with, and
approved by, the local Research Ethics Committee. Whether or not
you choose to take part will not have any influence in your personal
treatment or rehabilitation programme. If you do take part you may
be helping to benefit future patients.
HOW LONG DOES REHABILITATION TAKE?
Rehabilitation begins while you are in hospital and continues after
you go home, taking place over months and even years. There
may be changes in what you are able to do over time. Each person
progresses through rehabilitation at his or her own pace, and it is
difficult to provide definite answers about your expected progress in
rehabilitation as each person’s pattern of injury or illness and
potential for recovery is different. We will however, always work
towards your best ability.
HOW IS MY REHABILITATION PROGRAMME
CO-ORDINATED?
You will be assigned a team on admission who are primarily
responsible for your therapy, treatment and discharge planning.
This team may include a nurse, doctor, occupational therapist,
physiotherapist, clinical psychologist, dietician, speech and
language therapist and social worker, as required. You can
complete details at the end of this booklet.
You and your family will be included in the planning of your
programme by taking part in meetings to look at your life goals.
This goal planning process will be used throughout your
rehabilitation.
The therapists that are involved with your programme will put
together a weekly timetable of your sessions. You will receive a
copy of this timetable each week.
As you progress with your rehabilitation, and if it is appropriate, the
staff will arrange for you to go home with your family for weekend
leave. This leave is part of your rehabilitation and will be carefully
planned by everyone involved in your care.
HOW CAN I MAKE THE MOST OF MY REHABILITATION?
It is important that you take an active role in your therapy and
rehabilitation by:

Following your daily schedule and attending therapies and
meetings on time. Your timetable for the week ahead will be
given to you on the Friday of the previous week. Staff will assist
you with your timetable if you have any difficulty.

Working towards increasing your independence by using skills
you have learnt in therapy in your daily routine.

Practising some exercises in your own time if your therapist
suggests that you should do so. You will receive the necessary
support in carrying these out.

Raising any concerns or problems that you may have with the
relevant therapist or your primary nurse.
HOW LONG WILL I STAY?
During your initial assessment and goal-planning period a possible
discharge time will be discussed. Everyone makes progress at their
own pace; some people will stay for shorter or longer periods than
others.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Family members and friends frequently provide valuable support
and encouragement during rehabilitation. We will consult with you
to ascertain how you would like us to communicate with and involve
your friends and family and keep them informed of your progress in
rehabilitation. With your permission, family and friends can attend
and participate in family conferences and/or goal planning meetings
in order to understand your treatment goals and discharge plans.
You may also wish to have family members assist you with
exercises and self-care tasks (under the guidance of staff) or to join
in with outings etc.
DISCHARGE PLANNING
Planning for your discharge from the centre commences from day
one. We work in partnership with you and family or your carers to
plan for your discharge. This planning ensures that you leave
rehabilitation as soon as you and your rehabilitation team feel you
are ready.
WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES?
The Oxford Centre for Enablement is committed to delivering the
highest possible standard of rehabilitation and care.
 Our staff will look after you with care and skill in keeping with
recognised standards, practices and ethics.
 You have a right to considerate, respectful care at all times and
under all circumstances, with recognition of your personal dignity
and your right to privacy.
 Your care and treatment will be sensitive to your cultural and
religious values and beliefs, sexual orientation and disability
issues.
 All the staff at the OCE are legally and ethically obliged to keep
information on your health confidential. Only health staff who are
authorised can have access to information about you. If any
person outside the OCE requires information, such as other
doctors, or social workers, we will ask your permission before
releasing the information.
 You are entitled to receive information about all services that may
be beneficial to you and information about strategies to help you
in your rehabilitation.
 You will be involved in the development of your rehabilitation
plan.
 You will have the opportunity to discuss your continuing health
care with staff before you are discharged.
GIVING CONSENT
Before you give consent for treatment, staff will clearly explain your
treatment and any risks or side effects which you may experience.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION – YOUR MEDICAL RECORD
The Trust has a policy regarding patients access to their medical
records – please see your doctor to discuss this.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES


Please consider the rights of other patients and staff members
and be considerate towards them.
Follow instructions given to you by staff and participate actively in
your therapy programme, keeping appointments or letting staff
know if you are unable to attend a therapy session.


Ask questions if you are unsure about your programme or
treatment.
Rights and responsibilities / respect for other patients needs.
If You Have Comments or Complaints
Your comments are important to us and should be directed to the
Rehabilitation Services Manager, the Medical Director or the Head
of Nursing, in the first instance.
If you feel your concern has not been fully addressed please
contact The Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01865 227459
or bleep 459.
INFORMATION ABOUT YOU AND HOW WE USE IT
Your Health Record
Information about you, your medical treatment and family
background may be recorded either on paper or computer, or both,
as part of providing you with health care services. The information
forms part of your Health Record and will be kept in case we need
to see you again.
How We Use Your Information
Staff at the Trust need to use information about you so that you will
receive the best possible care and treatment.
We may need to share information about you with other people
involved in your care, such as your GP, dentist, health visitor,
community nurse or social worker.
We may also need to share some of this information, by law, or to
prepare statistics for research and management.
YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to access your Health Record.
If you are staying in the hospital, you can usually look at your
Health Record folder. Your consultant will arrange for a member of
staff to be present to explain medical terms and answer your
questions. Sometimes this can take a little time to organise. If you
would like to see your own notes, please speak to your consultant
or one of the nurses on the ward. You can also look through your
folder of nursing notes that is usually kept by your bed. If you would
prefer, we can keep your nursing notes at the nurses station.
If you would like to see your Health Record after you leave hospital,
or if you would like copies of your Health Record, you will need to
send a written request, called a Subject Access Request, to the
Health Records Team Leader for the Trust.
Please tell us clearly who you are, how you can be contacted, what
it is you wish to see and why you wish to see them. You may want
to see your complete record, or only things related to recent care.
There is a charge of £10 for Subject Access Requests. Further
charges (up to a total of £50) are made for providing copies. When
we receive your completed form and the fee we aim to respond to
the request in 40 days or 21days if your records have been updated
within the last 40 days. You have a right to ask for your information
to be changed or blocked if the information we are holding about
you is incorrect.
FURTHER INFORMATION
REHABILITATION SERVICE
ABOUT
THE
NEUROLOGICAL
 Individual leaflets are available with more detailed information
about parts of the service described in this booklet.
 Staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have or
refer you to someone who will be able to help you.
Contact Details:
Rivermead Ward
Neurological Rehabilitation Service
Oxford Centre for Enablement
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust
Windmill Road
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7LD
Ward Manager
Nurses Office
Nurses Station
Fax
-
(01865) 737355
(01865) 737346
(01865) 737340 / 737343
(01865) 227294
Your Therapy Team
Doctor
Primary Nurse
Nursing Team
Occupational
Therapist
Physiotherapist
Psychologist
Social Worker
Speech and
Language
Therapist
Other
Notes
Phone PALS (01865) 227459
Patient Advice Liaison Service
Contact Details
Oxford Centre for Enablement
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust
Windmill Road
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7LD
Main Reception Tel: 01865 227600
Main Reception Fax: 01865 227294
©Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust
May 2003 Version 1.0
Fiona Turner