In September 2021 the Foundation awarded a £5,000 grant to the Hospital of Neuro-disability towards a research project into the care and treatment of people who require long term-care and ventilators to breathe following brain injury or as a result of a neurological condition such as Huntington’s disease, Motor Neuron Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.
The study will examine records relating to patients past and present who have been admitted to the hospital’s Jack Emerson Centre, a specialist respiratory unit established in 2012 for the care of patients who are tracheotimised and dependent on ventilatory support. Whilst this type of specialist unit is at present rare, the increasing survival rate of patients with traumatic brain injuries and neurological conditions means that the demand for this kind of long-term care is growing. This type of patient requires 24 hour specialist care and a high level of monitoring and medicalsupervision as they are dependent on others for their daily needs and are vulnerable to infections, respiratory distress and other medical complications. Due to the high risk of life threatening medical emergencies, clinical and nursing staff require specialist skills. It is therefore crucial to undertake research to understand more about the characteristics and care and treatment of this type of patient to ensure clinical care is of the highest quality and patients’ quality of life is optimised.
The Foundation’s gift was match funded by the hospital’s own funds and the 9-month long project was given the green light in January 2022.
About Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability
Established in 1854, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is an independent hospital and registered medical charity which aims to improve the quality of life for people with severe brain injuries through rehabilitation and long term care. This kind of injury strikes out of the blue and can happen to anyone. Common causes include falls, traffic accidents, stroke or neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neuron Disease. With some 120 patients admitted to the hospital each year for rehabilitation and 168 patients receiving long-term care, we are one of the UK’s biggest brain injury and long-term care service providers. We also provide specialist care for conditions such as Huntington’s disease. Motor Neuron Disease and patients requiring ventilatory support. Our multi-disciplinary team ensures that patients receive the best possible care and treatment. In 2001 the RHN established the Institute of Neuro-palliative Rehabilitation to drive excellence in the care and treatment of people with severe neurological disabilities.
