This service has been developed to meet the rehabilitation needs of adults who have suffered a brain injury. We are a specialist team working in an integrated way to meet the needs of this group, easing the transition from hospital to home.

The team

  • Team Manager
  • Neuropsychologist
  • Case Manager
  • Speech and Language Therapist
  • Neuro-physiotherapist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Assistant Practitioner

All of the above have specialist training in the management of problems relating to brain injury.

Client group

The main client group will be those with a newly acquired injury to the brain, usually as a result of a serious head injury.  Referrals are also considered in respect of people in the community who have suffered a head injury in the past and who are continuing to experience specific problems relating to that injury, which may respond to input from the team.

The role of the team

At the acute hospital stage, non-medical treatment such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy will normally be provided by the hospital staff. The ABI will be notified of new patients and will:

  • make contact with the family or person most closely involved
  • provide specialist advice and support to hospital staff, where appropriate
  • keep in touch with the patient’s progress
  • liaise with hospital staff, the patient, family and other agencies (e.g. Adult Social Care) regarding plans for discharge from hospital
  • advise on the need for further in-patient rehabilitation, where appropriate
  • develop plans for community based rehabilitation, as required.

Many people make a good recovery from brain injury and are able to return to their normal lifestyle. Others may require ongoing rehabilitation.

Once a patient is discharged home, the team will:
  • monitor progress and provide information and advice to the individual and their family
  • liaise with other community services, such as Adult Social Care, Education and other agencies who may offer support
  • where indicated, provide a comprehensive, integrated rehabilitation package tailored to meet the needs of the individual
  • collaborate with individuals and their families or carers to set goals and review progress.

For those who are referred to the service some time after a brain injury, an assessment of need will be made, followed by information/advice, onward referral, or a planned programme of intervention to address the problems identified.

What we offer

We provide assessment, advice and treatment for clients and their carers on a range of issues, which may include:

  • posture, balance, mobility
  • swallowing, eating, drinking
  • speaking, understanding, reading memory, attention, perception and other cognitive problems
  • personal care and everyday living tasks
  • work, education leisure
  • emotional and behavioural responses to the injury.

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

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