Neuro Rehabilitation

The service is predominantly targeted at patients of working age, but this does not exclude referring older clients who have or realistically aspire to having active social or vocational roles

You may wish to refer patients

• Whose impairment or symptom patterns persists in a way that seems difficult to manage, understand or accept
• Have noted new manifestation or deterioration in their condition
• Are challenged by uncertainty about the future

Typical conditions managed

• Brain injury of any type (traumatic; anoxic; inflammatory or haemorrhagic). This includes stroke or clients with concussion.
• The Life after Stroke clinic’ is suitable for people who have ongoing problems post-stroke or TIA e.g. fatigue, emotional distress, cognitive impairment, of for new problems that develop over time e.g. neuropathic pain, or where the diagnosis is uncertain and requires review.
• Progressively deteriorating / degenerative neurological conditions (e.g. MS; MND; muscular dystrophies) – depending of level of impairment these clients may be more appropriately managed by community neurological rehabilitation service  (needs link) or by services for clients with Parkinson’s disease
• Longer term consequences of neurological tumour or cancer treatments
• Spinal disorders or peripheral neuropathies (traumatic spinal cord injury clients may be more appropriately referred to national spinal injuries unit
• Functional neurological disorders in which a diagnosis has already been confirmed with neurologist – you or the client may want to consult Neurosymptoms.org website
• If impairments specifically relate to spasticity you should refer to Spasticity management

Who can refer:

Referrals can be made by GP’s; consultants; nurse practitioners/specialists working with neurological client groups; or allied health practitioners.

Who not to refer:

Clients whose conditions are such that input from one single therapy discipline would suffice should be referred to those disciplines

e.g.

• Options for clients whose impairments are limited to mobility or dexterity deficits include
  • Edinburgh Community Stroke Service
  • Neurorehabilitation Occupational Therapy
  • Neurological Rehabilitation Therapies – loth.neurorehaboutpatientservice@nhs.scot
  • East Lothian Rehabilitation Service
  • Community Rehabilitation and Brain Injury Service
• Clients with isolated impairments of speech should be referred to speech & language therapy
• clients who are independent in day to day functioning but who are struggling to return to employment might be better referred to vocational rehabilitation

How to refer:

Refer via SCI Gateway (AAH > Neuro Rehabilitation >Ll Neuro rehabilitation)

You may find the following resources useful

Edinburgh Headway Group

Headway UK

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland

Concussion management

Scottish Acquired Brain Injury Network eLearning resource