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The RRU has up to 22 beds for patients with severe complex disabilities who need specialist rehabilitation.
As this is a regional service, the unit cares for people living in Brent and Harrow and beyond. Whilst the unit mainly cares for young adults it does offer a service to older patients where appropriate.
Typical length of stay is around four to six weeks for assessments, and two to six months for rehabilitation or longer for more complex cases. Because the unit is located at Northwick Park Hospital it is especially suitable for people with additional on-going acute medical needs e.g. post-neurosurgical, tracheostomy and immunosuppressive treatment.
An assessment and advisory outreach service is available for patients where it is not appropriate for them to be admitted into the unit.
Description of service
Other areas of expertise include:
> severe spasticity in need of holistic inter-disciplinary intervention
> Acquired brain injury of any cause, including stroke, trauma, anoxia, encephalitis, meningitis, vasculitis, toxic causes etc
> Partial spinal cord injuries, especially non-traumatic in origin
> Peripheral neuromuscular disease e.g. Guillain Barre Syndrome, critical illness neuropathy, polymyositis etc
> And, where the service is appropriate to meet the individual's needs:
> Some progressive conditions e.g Multiple Sclerosis etc
> Other conditions e.g. medically unexplained conditions.
Exclusions include:
> Very severe behavioural problems or severe cognitive problems without physical disability
> Patients treated under section of the Mental Healthcare Act
> Patients for whom achievable rehabilitation goals cannot be identified.
> Outreach service
In addition to the inpatient service the RRU offers:
> A comprehensive assessment and advisory service to guide the management of patients with severe complex disability, whether or not they require in-patient rehabilitation.
> Advice or support for community teams in the management of people with complex disability and on-going follow-up.
> Outreach surveillance (life long) of people with severe complex brain injury in nursing home placements and in their homes. (Service currently purchased only by certain PCTs.)
Publicly funded
- free at point of access
This Service was mapped by Eastern Region ABI. See HERE for more information
Patient description
Needs in-patient care due to physical dependency, or the need for specialist therapy equipment, a safe environment, supervision, or intensity of therapy, in a unit with the expertise and experience in rehabilitation of a condition (Level 1)which cannot be provided in a local specialist centre or in the community (Level 2) which cannot be provided in the community.
Sites
Level 1: Regional specialized centre Level 2: Local specialist centre, Acute or community hospital
Description of rehabilitation input
Needs inpatient care due to physical dependency, or need for specialist therapy equipment, safe environment, supervision or intensity of therapy which cannot be provided in community
Patient description
Medically stable, but low awareness or response persists beyond eg 3 weeks after sedation withdrawn, ICP corrected and medically stable. Able to benefit from medical and physical therapy to prevent complications and support recovery.
Sites
Community hospital or specialist inpatient
Description of rehabilitation input
Assessment/active rehabilitation phase which needs to be distinguished from long term care, although planning care increasingly important aim after some (eg 6) months. Patients may go to active participation unit if they improve sufficiently.
Patient description
Medically stable, able to actively participate with and benefit from therapy. Will include spectrum of initial severity of injury with a small minority derived from Code 05 category
Sites
Domiciliary or day hospital
Description of rehabilitation input
Interdisciplinary co-ordinated management therapy aimed at community re-integration/inclusion by enhancing independence, wellbeing, & assist return to work/education. In collaboration with Social Services, neuropsychiatry, voluntary and statutory services. Includes treatment of patients in their own homes, or with live-in carers.
Patient description
Medically stable, living in community, aiming to enter/return to employment
Sites
Outpatient clinic – acute or community hospital or other community location
Description of rehabilitation input
Multidisciplinary diagnostic and triage clinic, including expert medical input, with specialist brain injury nurse and/or neuropsychological assessment and support and follow-along available. Education, emotional and social support, both for patient and family. Liaison with/advice to GP and employer.
Patient description
Medically stable, but permanent disability
Sites
Domiciliary, residential or nursing home, respite unit
Description of rehabilitation input
Life long prevention of avoidable complications involving residual physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems, on a domiciliary, outpatient or respite basis.
Level 1 (highly specialised rehabilitation services): Treat patients with Category A needs and is led by a consultant trained and accredited in rehabilitation medicine or neuropsychiatry
Regional Rehabilitation Unit, Northwick Park Hospital
Location and Contact detailsThe North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, Northwick Park Hospital Watford Road Harrow Middlesex HA1 3UJ Telephone: 020 8869 2429 Email: rachel.metzger@nhs.net http://www.nwlh.nhs.uk/services/RRU/ |
Type of organisation
Descripton of organisation
miles (straight line)miles (approximate road distance) Entry last updatedMar 21, 2012 |
Further Details
Regional Rehabilitation Unit (RRU)The RRU has up to 22 beds for patients with severe complex disabilities who need specialist rehabilitation.
As this is a regional service, the unit cares for people living in Brent and Harrow and beyond. Whilst the unit mainly cares for young adults it does offer a service to older patients where appropriate.
Typical length of stay is around four to six weeks for assessments, and two to six months for rehabilitation or longer for more complex cases. Because the unit is located at Northwick Park Hospital it is especially suitable for people with additional on-going acute medical needs e.g. post-neurosurgical, tracheostomy and immunosuppressive treatment.
An assessment and advisory outreach service is available for patients where it is not appropriate for them to be admitted into the unit.
Description of service
Other areas of expertise include:
> severe spasticity in need of holistic inter-disciplinary intervention
> Acquired brain injury of any cause, including stroke, trauma, anoxia, encephalitis, meningitis, vasculitis, toxic causes etc
> Partial spinal cord injuries, especially non-traumatic in origin
> Peripheral neuromuscular disease e.g. Guillain Barre Syndrome, critical illness neuropathy, polymyositis etc
> And, where the service is appropriate to meet the individual's needs:
> Some progressive conditions e.g Multiple Sclerosis etc
> Other conditions e.g. medically unexplained conditions.
Exclusions include:
> Very severe behavioural problems or severe cognitive problems without physical disability
> Patients treated under section of the Mental Healthcare Act
> Patients for whom achievable rehabilitation goals cannot be identified.
> Outreach service
In addition to the inpatient service the RRU offers:
> A comprehensive assessment and advisory service to guide the management of patients with severe complex disability, whether or not they require in-patient rehabilitation.
> Advice or support for community teams in the management of people with complex disability and on-going follow-up.
> Outreach surveillance (life long) of people with severe complex brain injury in nursing home placements and in their homes. (Service currently purchased only by certain PCTs.)
Services available
ABI Specialist | National | Regional | Local | |
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Acute Medical Care |
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Advice |
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Clinical psychology |
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Community support |
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Neuropsychology |
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Occupational Therapy |
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Psychology |
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Speech & Language Therapy |
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National = country wide, Regional = offering a
service within 150 miles, Local = offering a service within 50
miles
This service adheres to the following Regulatory Frameworks / is affiliated to the following bodies:
Referrals can be made by
GP |
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Consultant |
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Healthcare Professional |
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Self/Advocate/Family |
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Other professional eg Social Care/Case Manager |
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How are services paid for?

Regularly | Sometimes | Never | |
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NHS | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Social Care Services | ? | ? | ? |
Jointly funded by NHS & Social Care Services | ? | ? | ? |
Typical duration that a service is offered
As neededThis Service was mapped by Eastern Region ABI. See HERE for more information
Services available are defined by the following EHIG Rehabilitation Codes
For an explanation of the codings please click hereREHAB IN HOSPITAL
[Code 40]Patient description
Needs in-patient care due to physical dependency, or the need for specialist therapy equipment, a safe environment, supervision, or intensity of therapy, in a unit with the expertise and experience in rehabilitation of a condition (Level 1)which cannot be provided in a local specialist centre or in the community (Level 2) which cannot be provided in the community.
Sites
Level 1: Regional specialized centre Level 2: Local specialist centre, Acute or community hospital
Description of rehabilitation input
Needs inpatient care due to physical dependency, or need for specialist therapy equipment, safe environment, supervision or intensity of therapy which cannot be provided in community
A BRAIN INJURY REHAB UNIT
[Code 60]Patient description
Medically stable, but low awareness or response persists beyond eg 3 weeks after sedation withdrawn, ICP corrected and medically stable. Able to benefit from medical and physical therapy to prevent complications and support recovery.
Sites
Community hospital or specialist inpatient
Description of rehabilitation input
Assessment/active rehabilitation phase which needs to be distinguished from long term care, although planning care increasingly important aim after some (eg 6) months. Patients may go to active participation unit if they improve sufficiently.
REHAB AT HOME
[Code 70]Patient description
Medically stable, able to actively participate with and benefit from therapy. Will include spectrum of initial severity of injury with a small minority derived from Code 05 category
Sites
Domiciliary or day hospital
Description of rehabilitation input
Interdisciplinary co-ordinated management therapy aimed at community re-integration/inclusion by enhancing independence, wellbeing, & assist return to work/education. In collaboration with Social Services, neuropsychiatry, voluntary and statutory services. Includes treatment of patients in their own homes, or with live-in carers.
BRAIN INJURY CLINIC
[Code 85]Patient description
Medically stable, living in community, aiming to enter/return to employment
Sites
Outpatient clinic – acute or community hospital or other community location
Description of rehabilitation input
Multidisciplinary diagnostic and triage clinic, including expert medical input, with specialist brain injury nurse and/or neuropsychological assessment and support and follow-along available. Education, emotional and social support, both for patient and family. Liaison with/advice to GP and employer.
CONTINUING REHAB WHEN YOU NEED IT
[Code 100]Patient description
Medically stable, but permanent disability
Sites
Domiciliary, residential or nursing home, respite unit
Description of rehabilitation input
Life long prevention of avoidable complications involving residual physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems, on a domiciliary, outpatient or respite basis.
This service is defined by the NMDS (National Minimum Data Set) codes as:
For an explanation of the NMDS, please click hereLevel 1 (highly specialised rehabilitation services): Treat patients with Category A needs and is led by a consultant trained and accredited in rehabilitation medicine or neuropsychiatry