CRABIS – West Lothian

Community neuroRehabilitation and Acquired Brain Injury Service (CRABIS) – West Lothian

About CRABIS

CRABIS is a multi-disciplinary, community-based neurorehabilitation team in West Lothian. The experienced team includes a Physiotherapist, an Occupational therapist, a Clinical Neuropsychologist, and a Speech and Language Therapist, working together to provide a joint approach to meeting the rehabilitation needs of those over 16 who have a neurological condition or injury.

The purpose of the service is to empower individuals to enhance their independence and actively engage in everyday tasks, routines, and roles across home, community, and workplace settings. Since neurorehabilitation is a dynamic process that relies on the individual’s active involvement, it encourages a guided yet self-directed approach to effectively manage their condition.

Our neurorehabilitation service focuses on helping people in the recovery phase, so we typically do not see individuals who have recently been discharged from hospital. Our aim is to see patients within the following waiting times:

Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy – 12 weeks
Speech and Language Therapy – 12 weeks
Clinical Neuropsychology – 18 weeks

For immediate follow up and safe discharge from hospital, please refer to the Intermediate Care West Lothian Service. Stroke patients that are less than 3 months following diagnosis should be referred to the Community Stroke Team in West Lothian.

J.D & M.A – 22-01-26

Who can refer:

Consultants
GPs
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Allied Health Professionals
Social Policy Agencies

Who to refer:

Individuals 16 years+ with a current disability related to a neurological condition who live in West Lothian
Individuals who agree that it is the right time to engage in a challenging neurorehabilitation programme
Individuals whose neurological problems impact their daily functioning e.g. their ability to sustain their worker role or where there may be a risk of losing their employment because of disability

Who not to refer:

Individuals whose primary difficulties are not neurological in nature, despite also having a neurological diagnosis.
Patients that do not have a confirmed diagnosis of a neurological disorder.
Patients that have suspected functional neurological symptoms but do not have a diagnosis of FND.
Individuals who have been discharged from CRABIS or another rehabilitation service within 6 months to address the same difficulties.
Individuals with predominant mental health difficulties or social stressors that would impact their ability to engage in a challenging neurorehabilitation programme.
Individuals whose needs are better met through another community service, including referrals for:
- SLT only – SLT: Speech & Language Therapy (Adults) – RefHelp
- Assessment for Equipment needs only – community OT: Adult Social Work/Occupational Therapy Self-Assessment and Referral – Health & Social Care Partnership
- Peripheral nerve injury e.g. sciatica, radiculopathy, nerve palsy – MSK physiotherapy: Musculoskeletal (Physiotherapy) – RefHelp
- Neuropsychology only – particularly for dissociative/functional seizures: DCN Neuropsychology: DCN Acute Neuropsychology – Neuropsychology
- Orthotics: Orthotics – RefHelp
- Return to driving – Scottish Driving Assessment Centre: Scottish Driving Assessment Service – RefHelp
- Unemployment support: Supported Employment Service: Supported Employment Service – West Lothian Council
- Mental health:
  - CMHT: West Lothian Mental Health Services – RefHelp
  - Psychological Therapies Service: Psychological Therapies Services (PTS) – RefHelp
- General support and advice for carers and people with disabilities including financial advice, respite options and counselling: Carers of West Lothian: Carers of West Lothian | Support Starts Here
- Xcite gym referrals: xcite-health-wellbeing-referral-form-june-2024.pdf

How to refer:

Use the CRABIS referral form
Email referrals/reports/letters to loth.crabiswl@nhs.scot
For further Information please email us, or telephone:
- 01506 524 149 (physio/OT)
- 0131 537 9128 (neuropsychology)
- 01506 524 191 (SLT)