Calvert Reconnections – the UK’s first intensive Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) rehabilitation centre focused around outdoor activities – has unveiled its panel of expert advisors.

The ground-breaking centre, run by The Lake District Calvert Trust (LDCT), is being advised by nationally regarded brain injury experts Bill Braithwaite QC, Heather Batey, Professor Mike Barnes and Dr Rob Forsyth in the run up to its Autumn opening. Calvert Reconnections has also launched a new website at www.calvertreconnections.org.uk/

Bill Braithwaite QC is a vastly experienced and well-known personal injury practitioner. He has represented over one thousand catastrophically injured claimants, and regularly recovers more than £50 million a year in compensation. Bill’s practice is highly specialised. He represents claimants only, in claims involving catastrophic brain injury, however caused, including clinical negligence. In addition to acting as an expert advisor to Calvert Reconnections, Bill Braithwaite QC has also recently been appointed as a trustee of LDCT.

Heather Batey’s 30-year career has been devoted to the assessment and rehabilitation of patients with Traumatic Brain Injury in both hospital and community settings. Having trained as an Occupational Therapist, with an interest in neurology, Heather became the Senior OT in the development of the Leeds Head Injury Team. She jointly set up brain injury rehabilitation company, reach, believing that goal orientated rehabilitation is vital for clients to learn and practice the techniques they will need to improve their independence and quality of life.

Professor Mike Barnes is a highly experienced consultant neurologist and consultant in rehabilitation medicine. Over the last 30 years, Professor Barnes has been dedicated to the development of neurological rehabilitation throughout the UK and internationally.
Dr Rob Forsyth trained in Cambridge, Oxford, Nottingham, Newcastle and Vancouver Canada, qualifying in 1987. He combines clinical work with research into children’s brain injury and is also a Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University. He was National Training Adviser in Paediatric Neurology for six years 2003-09 and has an interest in training the next generations of child neurologists. Rob is a board member of the European Paediatric Neurology Society.

Commenting on Calvert Reconnection’s panel of expert advisors, Centre Director, Sean Day said: “We have been fortunate that since we began our Calvert Reconnections journey, we’ve had the support, expertise and guidance of a panel of experts. Each are leading light in their particular areas and without their unfailing enthusiasm, insight and inspiration, we would not be where we are now with this exciting project.”

Professor Mike Barnes, expert advisor to Calvert Reconnections said:
“The Calvert Reconnections concept is brilliant. I am sure there will be many people with brain and other neurological injuries who will benefit from this centre. It is unique in the UK and is a much-needed service which I am sure will succeed and be much in demand.”
LDCT recently revealed that it has now passed the million-pound mark in its fundraising efforts for Calvert Reconnections.

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