How we support patients and families

We enhance rehabilitation and lives through specialist therapies and support including music therapy, specialist wheelchairs and assistive technology.


patients and familiesWe like to keep families at the heart of a patient’s care and support here at the RHN.

There are a number of things you can expect from us, and lots of ways we can work together to maximise your relative’s potential for recovery.

We support families at ward level – each patient has a named nurse who will support them and you throughout the time with us. The ward manager will also support you wherever it is needed.

Outside of the ward we offer a chaplaincy service and our Patient Experience Officer is also on hand to help you with queries and questions. Our social worker is also on site and to help you .

We answer your questions as quickly and completely as we can. There may be some aspects of care that we’re not able to discuss fully, for a number of reasons, but in these cases we’ll explain why.

We promise to treat each patient as an individual; developing, assessing and revisiting care plans that will help maximise their potential for recovery.

What we will do

We always strive to make sure the experience of everyone in our care is as positive as possible. We have a number of people who can help answer questions, as well as printed information which families and friends may also find helpful.

We work with patients and families to ensure the care we provide is the best quality it can be, and should you have any queries or questions, will work quickly to answer or resolve these.

We provide specialist services that meet the individual needs of all those who live and are treated at the RHN.

The Ward Manager will be able to answer most questions you have about your loved one’s care and the Patient Experience Officer helps families with questions, including any concerns they may have. Our Chaplain is based here at the hospital and is always on hand to meet with patients, families and friends.

A welcome pack is given to everyone who comes to the RHN. It answers many questions including what to bring, directions and other helpful information.

Social work

Every day our social work department guides and supports patients and their families through the realities of life with a neuro-disability.

With its emotional and physical impacts to the patient, disability also hugely affects those close to the person dealing with the injury or condition. That’s why our dedicated social worker offers support every step of the way, helping people adjust to life with disability, and plan for a positive future.

From day one through to discharge, our social worker works with every rehabilitation patient and their family. They can discuss every aspect of their immediate, short and long-term care to help them adjust to life with a disability and hopefully making the journey as smooth and well informed as possible.

We do this by helping families,

Get involved
Encouraging them to actively participate in a patient’s care pathway, helping us incorporate their interests into a truly holistic rehabilitation plan.

Stay updated
Coordinating regular meetings with the rehabilitation team and carers to discuss progress and goals

Cope
Supporting people emotionally and practically, suggesting ways to get involved in care and activities they can enjoy as a family.

Make practical plans
Offering guidance on everything from statutory entitlements, housing needs and care options for the patient such as day care, at-home support, or long-term residential care.

“They understand the situation, and it has just transformed everything for us.”

Rachel and John.

Specialist nurses

Our wards are staffed by specialist nurses, trained and experienced in working in environments providing specialist care for people affected by neurological conditions or brain injury.

Within the hospital we also have specialist services where the nursing teams are also skilled in particular specialisms including tracheostomy or ventilator care, Huntington’s and other areas of expertise.