Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit (RNRU)

The Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit (RNRU) specialises in early inpatient rehabilitation, for adult patients from the age of 17, after single incident neurological events other than spinal injury. It is a custom built ground floor unit specifically designed to meet the needs of our service users. 

The service is commissioned by NHS England and consequently the RNRU is able to accepts referrals from anywhere in the UK, however it primarily treats people who live in, or have been admitted to hospital, in North-East London and Essex. The majority of our patients have suffered head injuries, strokes, subarachnoid haemorrhages or other forms of diffuse brain damage resulting, for example, from certain infections or cardiorespiratory arrest. We also admit a small number of people who have been diagnosed with other conditions requiring multi-disciplinary rehabilitation such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Our admission criteria include people in prolonged disorders of conscious states who require specialist assessment and complex disability management prior to discharge.

Services

  • Comprehensive assessment and definition of need for early neurological rehabilitation
  • Disability management and placement set-up planning
  • Specialist assessment – eg SMART
  • Spasticity services, including focal spasticity management with Botulinum Toxin, splinting and casting
  • Dedicated neuro-orthotics service
  • Videofluoroscopy and FEES swallow assessment clinics
  • Physiotherapy
  • Speech and language therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Neuropsychology
  • Social work
  • Medical services
  • Dedicated leisure co-ordinator and volunteers
  • Resident art curator and established art projects with local and visiting artists
  • Workshop technician
  • Formal family education groups
  • Psychotherapist specialised in therapy for people and families living with brain injury
  • Wifi enabled throughout the unit 

The unit

The Unit is purpose built and has 27 beds. It has been designed to ensure that all facilities benefit from spacious, modern accommodation. It is integrated with the acute medical and surgical services of the hospital, so that service users can begin their rehabilitation early after an acute recovery. At the same time it provides an ideal therapeutic environment for retraining in all activities of daily living and the adjustment process for patients and families. 

The comprehensive facilities include high, medium and low dependency 3 bay ward areas, individual rooms, a transitional flatlet, kitchen and laundry, communication group room, a family room, games room, a therapeutic workshop, computer training facilities, individual therapy areas, a capacious physiotherapy gym and a self-contained therapy garden. 

Leisure activities are promoted as a way to provide meaningful opportunities for individuals to express themselves and fill free time. Our proximity to the amenities of Hackney enables us to make out and about groups, cinema clubs and local exhibitions all part of our therapeutic approach.

Drawing on a collaborative multi-disciplinary team approach we strive to deliver excellence in neurorehabilitation.

Related services and clinics

RNRU Follow-up Clinic (020 8510 7970) continues to see patients after discharge, initially after three months and then usually on a six-monthly or yearly basis where necessary. 

RNRU Outreach Team (020 8510 7967), will see patients after discharge in the community to further progress the patient on their rehabilitation pathway.
Read more about the  Outreach team
Catherine Atkinson, Consultant AHP and Clinical Lead RNRU Outreach Team: ext. 7645

The Adult Focal Spasticity Service is also based at the RNRU.
The service specialises in the management of focal or multifocal spasticity with a combination of EMG and ultrasound for injections. Patients are assessed by a consultant physiotherapist and an assistant.
Doctors or allied health professionals who would like to refer a patient please follow the link above for full details. 
Please note that all referrals should be electronic using our referral form.

Contact details
Tel: 0208 510 7970
Email: huh-tr.spasticityservice@NHS.net