Research highlights gaps in the pathway for people with Spinal Injuries

I saw a piece of research this week, carried out by Loughbrough Univeristy, which was highlighted by the spinal injury charity Aspire which illustrates some of the challenges for people with spinal cord injuries. The report indicates that 20 per cent of paralysed patients are discharged from hospital into a care home because there is no housing in the community that meets their new needs.

The research also said that one in five of the 1200 people in the UK paralysed each year are moved to a care home following rehabilitation whilst they wait for their existing homes to be renovated for wheelchair use or for suitable accommodation to be found. Around 70% of spinal cord injury patients are men, and many are under 40 years old.

The effect on people being placed (even temporarily) in a care home can impact on their physical development, health and psychological wellbeing can be devastating and can even lead to attempted suicide.

Our pathway model of provision at Keiro inolves a provision of socially focussed rehabiliation, to help people to regain their independence, followed by further input from us and other organisations (charities and housing providers amongst others) who enable people to retain their independence.

The diagram on our website illustrates how our model works. One of the keys to this model is the link to transitional housing accommodation, which is suitable for people with even the most complex physical disabilities. We are in the process of establishing at our Gateshead and Middlesbrough sites.

When people access the right kind of post acute rehabiliation and support, they can go on to achieve a great deal. Scott Steele, who is a member of our healthclub had a severe spinal injury in 2007. He is now studying law and training to be a member of Team GB at the 2016 paralympic games. Tom Doughty had a spinal injury in the 1970's. He played at this year's Chase Park Music Festival this year and was an inspiration to the thousands of people who were in the audience that day.

I am glad that this research has come out and the opportunity now exists to start plugging the gaps which were higlighted in the report.