New Model For Adult Rehabilitation

A new model for rehabilitation in Scotland was officially launched today. Key actions within the Delivery Framework for Adult Rehabilitation in Scotland include:

• the establishment of local rehabilitation co-ordinators in each NHS Board
• a national rehabilitation group to oversee the implementation of the framework
• a managed knowledge network to ensure health and social care practitioners and service users can access up-to-date evidence on rehabilitation

Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald pledged a £2 million support package to roll out the recommendations. He said: “This new approach to rehabilitation puts services users, including older people, adults with long-term conditions and people returning from work absence, or wishing to stay in employment, at the heart of an integrated, flexible and multi-disciplinary local care network.

“Service users truly value the support they receive. Making their journey as smooth as possible is an opportunity within our grasp and builds on the commitment of rehabilitation teams.  We are looking to NHS Boards, local authorities and community healthy partnerships to play a leading role in delivering the right services for right people, in the right place, at the right time.”

Chairperson of the framework steering group Olivia Giles has first-hand experience of NHS rehabilitation services. She said: “Patients want and need a seamless service for the best physical, psychological and emotional outcomes. To achieve this, the patient’s rehabilitation journey needs to be strategically planned and managed from start to finish. And that’s what the new framework sets out to do. “

“I have been heartened by the quality of contribution from professionals and service users throughout the consultation process. I am delighted to see the Scottish Executive’s commitment to a true integration of health and social care.”

Background

The Executive made a commitment in Delivering for Health to create a rehabilitation framework to change the way services are delivered in the future.

The new vision calls for a fundamental shift in the way the NHS works, from an acute, hospital-driven service to one that is embedded within the community, is patient focused on a philosophy which moves from ‘care’ to ‘enablement’ and rehabilitation.

The focus is on meeting the twin challenges of an ageing population and the rising incidence of long-term conditions.

The ethos of the rehabilitation model is about enabling maximum physical, psychological, emotional, social and occupational potential of individuals and improving quality of life.

Olivia Giles lost her lower legs and lower arms to meningitis in 2002. This necessitated a lengthy period of rehabilitation. Together with three other service users chairs, and project team, she has led the steering group and action groups who oversaw the development of this policy document and supported engagement with over 250 service users and 300 professionals from health and social care.