NEURO REHABILITATION UNIT
CONTACT DETAILS
Switchboard: 0845 1555 000
Ward Administrator: ext. 83094
Nurses Office: ext 83094
Medical Secretary: ext 83486
Department Fax: 020 344 83711
NRU Patient Payphone: 020 7419 0175
Website: www.uclh@nhs.co.uk
VISITING TIMES: 10AM TO 8PM
In exceptional circumstances, visiting at other times can be authorised by
the nurse in charge. Therapy sessions are scheduled throughout the day
and these sessions take priority over seeing visitors. Please ask visitors to
check your therapy timetable before scheduling visits.
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Welcome to the Neuro Rehabilitation Unit
Clinical Lead: Dr Diane Playford (Consultant Neurologist)
The Neuro Rehabilitation Unit (NRU) is a specialist team of health and
social care professionals who have special expertise in
neurorehabilitation. Rehabilitation helps people to make the best of
their potential to regain their functional independence wherever
possible. This involves looking at the most appropriate way of carrying
out daily tasks such as washing and dressing, moving around,
communicating, working and being involved in leisure activities. This
includes, for some people, looking at the effects of thinking skills (e.g.
memory, concentration) on everyday tasks. In addition, rehabilitation
involves addressing the emotional needs of both patients and their
family.
We are committed to research and audits to ensure we develop the
best rehabilitation programme possible for our patients.
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Your stay on the NRU
What to Bring to the NRU
If possible, please bring the following items with you
when you come to the NRU:
Toiletries
Your usual wheelchair if appropriate
Clothing suitable for use in the therapy gym, e.g., tracksuit/loose
clothing, vest tops for ladies, shorts and trainers.
Small aids or equipment that you use regularly, e.g., walking
frames/sticks, any splints you may use.
Please bring your current medication.
Contact name and numbers for anyone involved in your care at home
e.g., your GP, district nurse, and therapists.
When you arrive on the NRU:
On the day of admission, please arrive by 10.00am, as the medical
team need to meet with you and a joint assessment meeting will be
arranged for you.
You will be allocated a ‘key worker’ who will be a contact person for
you, your family, and your carers.
A member of the nursing staff will formally admit you to the NRU.
This involves asking questions to ensure that we have accurate
information for our records.
You will be provided with a welcome folder which will include a
weekly timetable indicating your sessions for the week.
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Please do let your key worker know if you have any particular
religious, cultural, dietary or other needs. We will do our best to
accommodate your needs.
During your first week:
You will have a ‘joint assessment’. This is an opportunity for you to
meet the team who will work with you and for the team to assess your
individual needs. A member of your family, a friend or a carer is
welcome to attend the joint assessment.
You will also meet each of your therapists individually and they will
carry out more detailed assessments of your individual needs.
You will meet the consultant on Thursday during the weekly ward
round.
One of the psychotherapists based on the unit will meet with you
briefly to explain their service and ask you to complete a brief
questionnaire about how you are feeling.
At the beginning of your second week:
You will be given a statement outlining what the aims are for your
admission (i.e., your long term goal). Your therapy goals and
predicted length of stay will be discussed with you by your key
worker. Your therapy goals take into account your individual hopes
and the team’s professional opinions. Your length of stay on the
NRU is determined by your individual needs on a case by case basis.
Short term goals are set and reviewed regularly in collaboration with
your team and your progress will be monitored.
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Throughout your stay:
All meals are served in the dining room at the following times:
Breakfast: 8.30am
Lunch:
12.30pm
Supper:
6.00pm
Therapy sessions will take place at variable times but the main
sessions are
Monday -Thursday
8:30am – 4:30pm
Therapy and Rehabilitation
Assistant sessions
Friday
8:30am – 12:30pm Therapy sessions
Friday
8:30am – 4:30pm
Rehabilitation Assistant Sessions
Ward Round
The weekly ward round takes place on Thursday at 9am. This is an
opportunity to ask the medical team and representatives from the
therapy team any questions you may have.
Every Friday you will be provided with a timetable for the following
week.
During the weekends and at the evenings, the nurses will assist you
to carry out exercises as needed, such as using the standing frame
or exercise bike. It is the transfer of skills learnt in the gym to the
ward environment that makes the NRU a rehabilitation unit, rather
than a medical ward.
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Family members are encouraged to be involved
in the rehabilitation programme and are welcome
to attend therapy sessions. Children are welcome
to visit and remain the responsibility of their
parents whilst on the unit. Please do contact your
key worker if you would like your family/carers to
attend therapy sessions.
During your admission a meeting involving you, your family and/or
friends may take place with the team. This will be an opportunity to
discuss your therapy to date with your family, carers and the NRU
team.
Preparing for discharge is an important part of the rehabilitation
process and plans for your discharge will be discussed with you
regularly during your stay.
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The NRU Multidisciplinary Team
You will be allocated to one of 2 multidisciplinary teams (BLUE or RED).
Each team consists of Nursing staff, Physiotherapists, Occupational
Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and Rehabilitation
Assistants. Working closely with both teams are Neuropsychologists, Social
Workers and Psychotherapists.
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Further information on the NRU Team:
Medical team: The medical team assess and manage your medical needs
and are available to discuss your condition with you and your family.
Nursing team: The Nursing team assist you to transfer the skills learnt in
therapy sessions into your daily routine. Nursing staff are available to
discuss and help manage any problems you may have with skin, bladder,
bowels and sexual function.
Physiotherapists: The Physiotherapists assess and manage difficulties
with physical mobility, balance, co-ordination and strength.
Occupational Therapists: The Occupational Therapists assess and
manage your ability to participate in activities of daily living (e.g. dressing,
meal preparation) and address leisure and work issues.
Speech and Language Therapists: The Speech and Language
Therapists assess and manage communication (e.g., speaking, listening,
writing and reading) and swallowing difficulties.
Neuropsychologists: The Neuropsychologists identify a patient’s
strengths and weaknesses in their thinking skills (memory, attention,
planning and problem solving) and work with other therapists to put in
place strategies to manage any weaknesses. Neuropsychologists also
assess and support patient’s emotional wellbeing.
Rehabilitation Assistants: The Rehabilitation Assistants carry out
rehabilitation exercises with you under the guidance of therapy and nursing
staff.
Social worker: The Social Worker provides help and advice regarding
housing, finances, and benefits and will liaise with your local Social
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Services department if you need a care package when discharged home.
Social work sessions also provide an opportunity for you and your family to
talk about your feelings regarding your disability/situation and the way it
may be affecting you.
Ward Administrator: The ward administrator is involved in the day to day
administration of the unit, including booking transport and distributing
weekly timetables.
Psychotherapy Team: Rehabilitation involves problem solving not only
physical but also emotional and psychological issues. The
Psychotherapists work using a confidential problem solving approach which
identifies and focuses on individual psychological strengths. On admission
all patients meet one of the Psychotherapists for 10 minutes. Following this,
psychotherapy sessions are available for patients, family members and
carers every Thursday and participation in psychotherapy sessions is
confidential and entirely voluntary.
Other people you may meet during your stay:
Dietitian:
The Dietitian provides advice on special diets and
supplements if required.
Chiropodist: A chiropodist visits once every three weeks. Please do
contact the nursing staff if you wish to see the chiropodist.
Volunteer:
There is a ward based volunteer who visits twice a week.
The volunteer can help you with any shopping you may
require.
Hairdresser: There is a hairdresser who is able to visit the unit on request.
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Accommodation and Facilities
The NRU comprises a ward area, dining/lounge room, a ‘quiet room’,
individual therapy rooms, a gym and a kitchen. There are 18 beds divided
into 4 single sex rooms and 2 individual side rooms. Allocation of individual
rooms is based on medical and therapeutic needs. Each bed space has a
wardrobe with small locking cupboard and a hand-held call bell for nursing
assistance. We appreciate the importance of you having the same bed
area throughout your stay, but occasionally we may need to ask people to
change beds.
During the course of the admission, your treating team may offer you the
option of staying at a local hotel whilst attending the NRU during the day for
your therapy. You would be provided with a private room and breakfast and
have all other meals on the unit. This would also give you an opportunity to
put your rehabilitation goals into practice in preparation for returning home.
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Useful Information
Food and drinks
There is a hot drinks machine and water dispenser in
the dining room for patient use. There is also a fridge
where you can store food and drinks. Please label
clearly all items with your name and date otherwise
they may be removed.
Restaurant
The hospital has a restaurant for visitors that is located
in the basement and is open seven days a week.
Washing Machine
A washing machine is available if washing is one of
your therapy goals, or if you do not have anyone who
can do your washing for you at home. The washing
machine is only available before 8.30am and after
4.30pm. Please do inform a member of staff before
using the machine and provide your own washing
powder.
Telephones
Friends and family are able to phone the ward to speak
to a member of the NRU team. Please use your mobile
considerately (i.e., not at night or during therapy
sessions). There is also a pay phone on the unit which
only accepts coins.
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Activities
The NRU has a pool table, television, a selection of
board games and reading materials.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on Trust premises.
Please consult your key worker if you would like
support with giving up smoking.
Alcohol
We regret that we are unable to permit the consumption
of alcohol on the NRU.
Transport
If you are being admitted to the NRU from your home and require transport
you will need to ask your GP to arrange this for you. When you are
discharged, you may be eligible for hospital transport and your key worker
will liaise with you regarding discharge transport arrangements
Security
We regret that we can not guarantee the safety of personal items of value
and, therefore, strongly advise that any such items (either monetary or
sentimental) are kept at home. In addition, we recommend that visitors do
not leave their bags and coats unattended whilst in the hospital. A small
amount of loose change is useful for buying newspapers, etc., but you are
urged not to keep items such as bankcards with you. We can store these
items safely in a safe until your discharge.
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Leaving the Ward Areas
If you would like to leave the ward areas please inform the nursing staff or
the ward administrator and please return before 9.00pm. Please ensure
that you are on the ward for all sessions. If it is appropriate, you may be
able to go home for the weekend. You will need to arrange your own
transport home if you take weekend leave.
Students
The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) is a
teaching hospital which means that students of all health care professions
have work placements on the Unit. A qualified member of the NRU team
will supervise all students during their work placements.
Research
The NHNN is an international centre of excellence with close links to the
Institute of Neurology and other departments at University College London.
You may be asked to help with research and your involvement is entirely
voluntary and dependent upon your consent. You are able to refuse to
participate in research and this will not in any way affect your care.
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Patient Feedback
We actively seek your opinion of our service, so that we can identify areas
for improvement. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any
comments or feedback.
Patient Information
Please refer to our information rack in the dayroom where we keep up-todate information of relevant Trust policies and local resources. Please do
ask your key worker if there is any further information you require.
Additional Notes
Produced: June 2009
Last updated: October 2009
Review due: October 2010
Copyright: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2009
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