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Neuro-rehabilitation

We provide intensive inpatient neuro-rehabilitation at Orpington Hospital.

We see patients recovering from a severe neurological event such as brain injury, disease, or trauma who need specialist care to aid their recovery. This includes help with learning how to walk, talk, dress and do everyday activities.

Our large multi-disciplinary team includes neuro-rehabilitation doctors, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists. They work together to help patients make the transition from hospital to home.

The Frank Cooksey Rehabilitation Unit is a 15-bed tertiary ‘specialised’ rehabilitation service that provides post-acute specialist in-patient neurological rehabilitation for patients with highly complex physical and cognitive impairments that are beyond the scope of their local and district specialist services. It serves a regional population of 1 to 5 million through specialised commissioning arrangements.

The Ontario Ward provides a 14 bed specialist level 2B rehabilitation service offering rehabilitation for adult patients recovering from acquired neurological disability, from across South East London.

Our service sees people who need rehabilitation because of a wide range of illnesses or injuries, such as:

  • stroke
  • acquired brain injury and spinal cord injuries
  • peripheral neuromuscular diseases such as Guillain Barré syndrome, critical illness neuropathy, and polymyositis

Philosophy of care

Specialist rehabilitation services play a key role in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment, and rehabilitation management of patients with disabling neurological conditions. Our team adopts a multi-disciplinary approach, in engaging patients in a structured programme of rehabilitation. Using a holistic approach, the team uses their expertise, to manage physical, psychological, and behavioural problems associated with both acute and chronic illnesses. They support patients as they work on improving and living with their impairments.

Rehabilitation focuses on a patient-centred goal-directed process in accordance with best evidence and practice. We work closely with families and caregivers. Each patient is allocated a named rehabilitation coordinator, who is the main source of contact for family and caregivers.

The rehabilitation team is led by a consultant rehabilitation medicine physician, supported by ward doctors, working with a team of other rehabilitation specialists, including:

  • rehabilitation nurses
  • occupational therapists
  • physiotherapists
  • speech and language therapists
  • dietitians
  • neuro-psychologists
  • social workers
  • activity coordinators

We work closely with neuro-navigators within the South East London boroughs and third-sector organisations.

We also provide in-reach neuro-rehabilitation support to University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals.

We also have support from the Neuro-urology team within the Trust in complex bladder management.

Contact

For GPs and referrers

Please refer to the Frank Cooksey Rehabilitation Unit or Ontario Ward via BadgerNet. If you do not have access to BadgerNet, please use the relevant email address below:

Neuro-rehabilitation Assessment Clinic

Referrals are triaged by our consultants and where indicated, we arrange for a neuro-rehabilitation assessment by our multidisciplinary team: a consultant neurologist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, physiotherapist, and psychologist.

Other Queries

For advice and guidance, contact the Data and Admin Coordinator:

Tel: 01689 866394

Service Specification and Admissions Guides