Pioneering plan helps patients go back to their homes

Jan 31 2008 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

A NORTH-EAST rehabilitation centre has pioneered a pilot outreach scheme to support patients returning home.

The initiative by Chase Park Rehabilitation Centre in Whickham, Gateshead, has extended its rehabilitation and support services beyond its doors to bridge the gap back into the community.

This service has already helped patients with transfers home following their discharge from the centre, which offers months of residential therapy.

The Pathways to Opportunity scheme has enabled patients to have the continuity of specialist rehabilitation services, giving them the confidence to move home and the support once they are there.

Les Holmes of Blaydon, Gateshead, suffered a rare spinal stroke and spent eight months in the centre before being transferred home with support from the facility.

General manager Boda Gallon believes schemes like this are vital if patients are to have a successful transition.

He said: “We recognise the importance of our clients receiving all the support they need at what can be a very traumatic time.

“This was the reason we worked closely with Les, his family, Gateshead Primary Care Trust and Gateshead Council’s community-based services to ensure we were able to provide a bridging service for Les that would add huge value to his rehabilitation programme.

“We loved working with Les and it’s now a great pleasure to see him able to support himself independently at home.

“We hope to continue to help many more people like him with what we think is a distinctive support resource.”

Chase Park Rehabilitation Centre is part of the Whickham Villa Group whose services also include Millfield House Care Home and Whickham Villa Healthclub.

Mr Holmes said: “Chase Park was the stepping stone to getting me to go home.

“I had more freedom and gained my independence while I was there which gave me the confidence to do things like take the bus.”