Neuro-rehabilitation therapy service

The neuro-rehabilitation and stroke therapy team is a community based service for people with complex neurological symptoms, diagnosed neurological conditions and stroke.

The team is made up of 4 services:

• neurological rehabilitation
• stroke specialist therapy
• neuromuscular
• neurology care advice

The integrated service is led by a consultant therapist in neurology and provided by clinical specialist physiotherapists, and occupational therapists and neurology care advisors.

The neuro-rehabilitation therapy service is provided by a team with expert knowledge in the assessment and treatment of neurological conditions and stroke.

Availability

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Referrals

Clinical referrals should be sent by email to the Stroke Neuro-Therapy Team by a consultant, GP, health and social care professionals or self-referral if you are known to the service.

Clinical specialist physiotherapists and occupational therapists

Clinical specialist physiotherapists and occupational therapists are advanced practitioners who are experts in the assessment, treatment and management of people with stroke and complex neurological conditions. We are able to support people with complex hospital discharges and repatriation following acquired brain or spinal injury.

We provide personalised therapy, advice and condition management for people with extensive physical, cognitive, behavioural, psychological and emotional impairments as a result of stroke or progressive neurological conditions.

We will provide a detailed assessment of your needs and work with you, your family, carers and other health and social care services to ensure the best possible outcome to enable you to move forward and manage your condition. We will provide you with a care plan which is person centred, evidence based and goal directed for a targeted episode of care.

The clinical specialist therapists are able to help you if as a result of your stroke or neurological condition you:

• experience pain
• have significant problems with your physical mobility as a result of muscle tonal problems such as stiffness or paralysis
• have difficulty with your posture or achieving a comfortable position
• have difficulty with balance or dizziness
• find it difficult to concentrate or remember things
• have problems with your vision
• have problems with dealing with emotional changes
• feel tired or fatigued
• feel overwhelmed by simple tasks
• have concerns about returning to work

We will also provide training, education and on-going advice to people, their families and carers and well as other health and social care professionals. The neurological rehabilitation and stroke therapy service is a research active team delivering clinical research locally in collaboration with research teams and higher education establishments.

Adult neuromuscular disease specialist physiotherapist

Neuromuscular multi-disciplinary clinics are held twice monthly (currently at St Austell Community Hospital and Camborne and Redruth Community Hospital) providing specialist physiotherapy advice and assessment.

Neuromuscular specialist physiotherapists work alongside the:

• south west neuromuscular service
• regional neuromuscular consultant and neuromuscular care advisor
• clinical specialist physiotherapists
• integrated community teams.

The adult neuromuscular specialist physiotherapists deliver a specialist training programme across the region for other therapists.

Neurology care advisors

The neurology care advisors give advice, information, signposting and support and can provide a single point of contact to guide you through the range of services available in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Contact information

Call 01209 318 106 or email the Neurology Rehab Team.

They are available to support you if you have been diagnosed with or care for someone with a neurological conditions including but not limited to:

• acquired brain injury
• ataxia
• cerebral palsy
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth
• dystonia
• fibromyalgia
• Guillan Barre
• Huntington’s disease
• motor neurone disease
• multiple sclerosis
• muscular dystrophy
• myasthenia gravis
• Parkinson’s
• peripheral neuropathy
• spina bifida
• spinal cord injury

As a patient, relative or carer there will be times when you need to turn to someone for help, advice or support. You may need help sorting out a problem or just the telephone number of someone that can help.

The neurology care advisors will work closely with health and social care professionals and other organisations ensuring continuity of care and support. They do not give specific medical advice so it is important that you raise any urgent concerns and seek advice on medication with your GP or the specialist nurse involved in your care.

Resources

• Neurology care advisory service leaflet