Partnership with Neuro Partners will help people with serious brain injuries
The University of Cumbria has announced a partnership with Neuro Partners Ltd that could save lives through the creation of a specialist neurological care centre in Carlisle. The result will see the development of a brand new, purpose built facility to treat Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), which might have been brought about by anything from road traffic accidents through to fighting, accidental falls and even strokes.
The new facility, planned to be based in Carlisle, will primarily serve Cumbrian residents and is expected to open during Autumn 2009. The project will see a total investment of around £5 million and, when complete, will result in the creation of between 120 and 160 jobs. Additionally, recruitment is already underway for 100 staff for the current Community Provision throughout Cumbria during 2008.
There are currently few specialist providers of ABI treatment throughout the country, meaning patients often have to be transported to treatment facilities outside the county, often several hours travel time away. In addition to the fact that such transportation increases the time taken to be treated, it also costs upwards of £300,000 for each person who has to be treated outside their home county. The facility also fits in with Department of Health policy of treating as many people as possible close to their home and will result in Cumbria having some of the most accessible ABI treatment centres in the whole country.
Based in Newcastle, Neuro Partners Ltd specialises in the treatment of neurological conditions and has now opened an office in Carlisle, commissioned by Cumbria Primary Care Trust. Neuro Partners specialises in a person centre approach to supporting those with a brain injury, learning disability or neurological condition, with a philosophy of the patient outlining what assistance they require, rather than being told what help they will receive.
Neuro Partners Team have a wealth of experience and achievement in this area, especially in relation to community based rehabilitation, employment/educational based support and rehabilitation, where there are performance, cognitive, behavioural, learning or psychological issues that need to be overcome.
The University of Cumbria and the city of Carlisle have been chosen as the location for a number of reasons. The geographical layout of Cumbria means that to access to such specialists care can often require substantial journeys, hence the importance of the county having access to more local provision. Additionally, part of the remit of Neuro Partners is to rehabilitate people back into everyday life following their treatment, something that can be achieved in an urban city such as Carlisle. This rehabilitation process often requires a combination of several methods, including Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Psychology, expertise in all of which is available at the University of Cumbria. Discussions are also underway which may lead to the university providing students to work within the new facility.
Martin Gannon, Head of enterprise and Strategic Partnerships at University of Cumbria, commented:
“This partnership is fantastic news for the people of Cumbria and such a facility is desperately needed. We are delighted to be working alongside a company with a proven track record in this important area and look forward to providing the region with levels of care that will be amongst the best in the country.”
Jonathan Wade, Managing Director at Neuro Partners Ltd, added:
“Neuro Partners Inpatient Rehab Unit and Community Service is all about providing local services for local people and creating local employment. We are recruiting heavily for community staff at the moment throughout Cumbria and this will ensure there is a seamless provision going from inpatient to community living. Working with the University of Cumbria, Carlisle City Council, the Primary Care Trust and organisations like Headway has been a joy in Cumbria. They are welcoming, supportive and engaging, creating the environment one needs for investment on this scale.”