A NEW 16-bed ward for patients recovering from brain and spinal injuries has opened at Mount Vernon Hospital.

Daniels Rehabilitation Unit is a much-needed and rare addition to the number of specialist neuro-rehab beds available in the UK.

There is a chronic shortage across the country and the unit will help accommodate patients from surrounding areas.

It helps patients take the first steps towards recovery, including people involved in road traffic accidents, strokes and living with conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Helen Parr, rehabilitation therapy manager, said: “Patients may come to us via the major trauma centre once they have been stabilised and can be with us anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months.

“They may also come from other acute hospitals and stroke units, or occasionally from home if they are living with a long-term neurological condition. “We have a big multidisciplinary team, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists and dieticians.

“Neuro-rehab is very labour intensive, so it requires a lot of specialised staff.

“It’s rewarding work because you can see you are making a difference as they regain their skills.”

Daniels Rehabilitation Unit will support the work of its sister unit, the Alderbourne Rehab Unit, which offers 20 neuro-rehab beds on the Hillingdon Hospital site.

Alderbourne is heavily subscribed with patients from in and outside the borough having built up a good reputation in north and south west London.