The delivery of rehabilitation to patients in England is about to be ‘transformed’, according to Miriam Duffy (pictured above), the physiotherapist who is the director of the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC).

Miriam made the bold claim as the finishing touches are being made to the 70-bed Nottinghamshire-based centre, which is described as being a ‘state-of-the-art specialist rehabilitation unit for NHS patients with a life-changing illness or injury’. It will be run and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Miriam said: ‘I am delighted that we are on the verge of opening the first NHS NRC and beginning the journey of transforming the way we provide rehabilitation in this country.

‘The impact of timely and effective rehabilitation lasts a lifetime and can be the difference to enable someone returning to the home, work, family and hobbies that they love.

‘By taking inspiration and learning from other rehabilitation centres across the globe, we are confident that we have delivered the very best rehabilitation facility where our dedicated and motivating staff will work with researchers and innovators to give our patients back their independence and the best quality of life possible.’

Miriam added: ‘However, this is just the beginning, and the NRC is much more than just a building. Our aim is to revolutionise rehabilitation across the country so that every NHS patient who suffers a life-changing illness or injury receives the best rehabilitation possible and the best chance to return to living an independent and fulfilling life.’

Host of pluses: fishing lake and pitch and putt on offer

The NRC is co-located with the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre on the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough. NRC patients at the NRC will benefit from having

• earlier access to rehabilitation to enable better outcomes

• bespoke intensive rehabilitation programmes for each patient, supported by a dedicated and highly-skilled workforce, to enable them to reach their full potential during their recovery
• unlimited access to the 365-acre countryside Stanford Hall Estate, including a five kilometre ‘trim trail’, a hand-cycle track, a fishing lake and a pitch and putt golf course. The estate will be a ‘rehabilitation asset’ in itself – as important as the buildings in the overall effort to return people to health and fitness. Each patient bedroom offers unobscured views across the estate
• the most comprehensive robotics suite in the NHS, featuring cutting-edge technology from across Europe, including robots and devices which can be used when helping patients to walk again, relearn how to use their hands, and build function in specific parts of their body
• the first 360 degree hoist in Europe, located in the main NRC gym and enabling patients to learn to walk and move in a more realistic way
• a digitally-advanced facility with real-time location technology to ensure patient and staff safety, a silent nurse call system and intelligent bedside screens to promote patient independence

Most patients will be admitted from the East Midlands, many of whom are anticipated to come through the East Midlands Major Trauma Centre – the busiest of its type in the UK and based at NUH.

‘We are confident that we have delivered the very best rehabilitation facility where our dedicated and motivating staff will work with researchers and innovators to give our patients back their independence and the best quality of life possible’ [Miriam Duffy]

Academic links

From a national perspective, the NRC will take a leading role in rehabilitation research and innovation, as well as providing training and education through an NRC Academy, all in collaboration with a consortium of 26 universities sited throughout England. 

Patients at the NRC will have the opportunity to take part in research during their stay, with the aim of significantly reducing the time between identifying effective new treatments and them benefiting patients. Clinical staff will also all be encouraged to take part in research and educational activities.

‘Beacon of hope’, says minister

Health minister Karin Smyth said: ‘This brand-new, state-of-the-art facility, backed by £105 million of government money, will transform care for patients who need specialist rehabilitation support.

‘The National Rehabilitation Centre embodies the future of the NHS: community-based care, digital innovation, and a focus on prevention by reducing avoidable hospital readmissions.

‘After years of decline, this project is a beacon of hope and shows the modern NHS we’re building – innovative, compassionate, and focused on giving every patient the best possible chance of recovery.’

The minister added: ‘I want to thank everyone involved from the trust, the construction workers, the defence community, and particularly the Black Stork charity, whose contribution has been huge.’

‘Significant step forward’

Sarah Collis, chair of Healthwatch Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said the opening of the NRC marks a ‘significant step forward’ in ensuring patients receive the highest standard of rehabilitation care. This centre has the potential to set a new benchmark for excellence in this vital area of medicine.

‘Patients deserve nothing less than the very best – care that not only supports recovery but enhances quality of life. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have on individuals, families, and communities across our region.’

Sarah added: ‘Healthwatch will continue to champion the voices of patients and the public, ensuring that services like the NRC deliver on their promise of outstanding care and support.’

The NRC will share facilities at the DMRC, including a full hydrotherapy suite, an advanced gait lab, a Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment – a 360 degree immersive virtual reality experience – and X-Ray and MRI machines. 

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