A team of people with specialist knowledge, skills and experience in rehabilitation following brain injury.

 The team consists of:

  • Case Managers
  • Clinical Neuro-Psychologists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • Rehabilitation Assistants
  • Team Secretaries

The team work with people over the age of 16, in the Community, with non-progressive brain injuries.

What is a brain injury?

A brain injury is damage to the structure and workings of the brain. This can occur as a result of a car accident, fall, assault, infection of the brain (encephalitis), or lack of oxygen to the brain (hypoxia).

Effects of brain injury?

Brain injuries can affect bodies and mental functions including;

  • Body movements,
  • Senses – what you see, hear, smell, taste
  • Eating and drinking
  • Speech production, language comprehension, conversation and social skills
  • Thinking skills including concentration, memory, problem solving and reasoning
  • Personality, emotions and behaviour

A brain injury can also affect your roles and relationships with family, friends and work colleagues

Each person is affected differently depending on the severity, type and place of injury. Some effects can improve, some effects are long lasting. This can be unpredictable at times.

What does ABIS do?

The team works with you, your family and colleagues to support your recovery and enable you to reach your full potential through a period of rehabilitation. This involves assessing and supporting you and significant others with the physical, cognitive and psychological changes that you are living with as a result of your injury.

Our aim is to help you live a fulfilling life as possible.

What might I do in rehabilitation?

Some of the things you might do in rehabilitation include:

  • Information and advice
  • Insight, awareness
  • Support and adjustment to changes
  • Exercises e.g. muscle strengthening
  • Use of equipment e.g. walking aids
  • Specific functional tasks
  • Use of compensatory strategies e.g. calendars
  • Fatigue management
  • Onward referral e.g. other local services
  • Work, education and leisure related activities
  • Group rehabilitation
Where is rehabilitation?

In the community, at home, work setting or NHS Clinic.  We also offer some appointments via Video call or telephone if helpful.

Goals

It is important to have goals as part of rehabilitation. This ensures rehabilitation is focused and relevant to you and your life. The team will help you identify and achieve your goals.

Goals must be realistic and achievable and can include mobility, independence, fatigue, social and domestic activities, work and leisure.

How long will rehabilitation be?

Brain injuries vary and are often complex. Recovery can take months and continue over years.  It is difficult to predict the rate of recovery or final outcome.  The team can work with you during this time, providing realistic goals are still being worked towards.

Many factors impact on recovery including the severity and type of brain injury, pre-injury functioning, physical and psychological factors, motivation and support from others.

Discharge

Discharge will occur when achievable goals have been reached, there are no active goals, or when the individual can take forward their own rehabilitation. This will be discussed and planned.

Progress may continue following discharge.

Your rehabilitation journey

Referral to ABIS - Usually by a doctor or health care professional.

 

Risk Assessment - A telephone call by a team member with you or your next of kin.

Initial assessment - Usually a case manager will meet you to identify your needs for rehabilitation

Therapist assessment - The first few appointments with the suitable therapists will involve exploring strengths and needs and setting GOALS.

Goal planning meeting - A meeting with you, your team members and your family or those you want involved to discuss progress. Goals are set by you and progress is reviewed with us. We will record your goals and send you a copy.

Treatment and support - Rehabilitation sessions based on your goals. You will be responsible for working towards your goals between sessions.

Goal review meeting - A meeting with you, your team members and your family or those you want involved to discuss progress. New goals will be set or discharge discussed. We will record your goals and send you a copy.

Discharge - You, our GP and any other relevant people will be kept informed of the teams involvement throughout your rehabilitation. Discharge from the team will be discussed and planned with you.

Please note: Missing your appointments could impact on your rehab and may lead to discharge from the service. If excessive alcohol consumption or use of illicit drugs is negatively impacting rehab, you will be discharged.

Contact Us

Acquired Brain Injury Service,
Bridge Mills,
Stramongate,
Kendal
LA9 4UB

Call 01539 718118

Acquired Brain Injury Service,
The Coppice,
Carleton Clinic,
Carlisle
CA1 3SX

Call 01228 602155

Email: ncm-tr.acquiredbraininjury@nhs.net

Confidentiality

‘The Trust’s vision is to keep your information safe in our hands.’ We promise to use your information fairly and legally, and in-line with local and national policies. You have a right to understand how your information is used and you can request a copy of the information we hold about you at any time.

For further information on confidentiality contact the Information Governance Team:

Information.Governance@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 603961

Feedback

We appreciate and encourage feedback, which helps us to improve our services. If you have any comments, compliments or concerns to make about your care, please contact the Patient, Advice & Liaison Service:

pals@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 814008 or 01946 523818

If you would like to raise a complaint regarding your care, please contact the Complaints Department:

complaints@ncic.nhs.uk | 01228 936302