In a sign of its growing impact, Calvert Reconnections last week hosted a delegation of rehabilitation specialists from Japan.
The delegation, from Senri Rehabilitation Hospital in Osaka and Mediva International in Tokyo, approached the Keswick-based centre to gain an insight into how Reconnections’ ground-breaking approach is expanding the horizons of brain injury rehabilitation. During their visit, they discussed rehab best practice with Reconnections’ interdisciplinary team which includes Neuro Occupational Therapists, Neuro Physiotherapists, Neuro Speech and Language Therapists, Neuro Psychologists, Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners and Rehabilitation Coaches. The team works collaboratively to deliver individual plans for participants, combining cognitive and physical rehabilitation with vocational and outdoor activities delivering with a unique non-clinical environment.
Commenting on their visit, Dai Kiuchi, Senior Consultant at MEDIVA said: “We were inspired by our visit to Calvert Reconnections.
“The team’s innovative approach to brain injury rehabilitation is achieving life-changing outcomes. It has opened our eyes to an exciting new approach. Moving forward, we are looking forward to keeping in touch and sharing best practice.”
“We were delighted to host a delegation of senior rehab professionals from Japan,” said Claire Appleton, Head of Service at Calvert Reconnections.
“Their visit confirmed our view that there’s nowhere quite like Reconnections anywhere in the world. We are striving to expand the horizon of what’s possible with ABI rehabilitation.”
Added Claire: “People with ABI can sometimes find the set procedures of neuro-rehabilitation too clinical, inflexible and impersonal.
“Our expert clinical therapy team combines cognitive and physical rehabilitation with vocational and outdoor activities delivered within a unique non-clinical environment.
“Our use of outdoor activities differentiates our service from other rehab providers but so too does the depth of expertise within our clinical team.”
The visit of rehab professionals from Japan follows on from Reconnections hosting its inaugural “experience day” for case managers in May.
The highly successful day enabled case managers from throughout the UK to experience first-hand how Reconnections develops its rehabilitation programmes.
Importantly, case managers were introduced to clinical staff at Reconnections who explained how the centre integrates clinical rehabilitation into outdoor activities to achieve positive outcomes for participants. They also took part in a range of outdoor activities led by the centre’s rehabilitation coaches.
Compelling evidence supports Reconnections’ ground-breaking approach to ABI rehabilitation with the centre’s recent outcomes-review indicating that the majority of participants have progressed on to independent living since leaving the service. Other outcomes include:
- 100% improved their ability to carry out everyday activities.
- 100% needed less support when they were discharged.
- 100% reported an improved hope for the future and an improved sense of purpose and direction in their life.
- 90% achieved their goals.
- 80% felt more empowered through greater participation and control over decisions that affect their lives.
For further details or to make a referral please go to www.calvertreconnections.org.uk