Specialist Neuro Rehabilitation Unit

The Specialist Neuro Rehabilitation Unit is a regional service for patients with acquired brain injuries. Patients benefit from a highly specialist occupational therapy service helping those with brain injuries to lead as fulfilling and independent lives as possible.

This includes patients with:

Traumatic brain injury
Brain haemorrhages
Encephalitis
Hypoxic brain injuries
Brain tumours
Multiple Sclerosis.

What is the role of Occupational Therapists?

The Occupational Therapy team for the Specialist Neuro Rehabilitation is based within the Specialist Spinal and Neuro Rehabilitation Centre at University Hospital Llandough in Penarth. We work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to treat people following a brain injury. We work with individuals and their family to identify strengths as well as areas of difficulty and how these may impact on their daily routine. We set goals and work together through the rehabilitation plan towards achieving the highest level of independence and ability possible.

Some of the ways that we can help following a brain injury involve:

Teaching techniques and activities around independence in daily activities such as washing and dressing or meal preparation
Strategies to help with cognitive difficulties
Community access support, for example to help the individual use supermarkets or public transport
Help with returning to social activities and sports / hobbies
Specialist equipment advice such as wheelchairs, hoists, kitchen aids
Moving and handling assessment
Home adaptations and housing assessments
Carer and family education and training
Splinting to reduce tone, contractures and enhance functional positioning

Trained therapists assess individuals in prolonged disorders of consciousness. We carry out a range of specialist assessments, which aims to identify potential awareness in adults with severe brain damage and establish whether they have any functional and communication capabilities.