The Briar Centre, the newest addition to NHS Lanarkshire’s award-winning community brain injury rehabilitation service, has been officially opened by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.
The Health Secretary marked the occasion by unveiling a plaque following a guided tour of the facilities and speaking with former patients who have made amazing recoveries thanks to the team of health professionals at The Briar Centre.
Health Secretary Neil Gray, said: “Serious brain injuries can be life-changing therefore assessment and rehabilitation is a crucial part of the recovery process.
“I’m delighted to open The Briar Centre which offers such a comprehensive range of specialist services tailored to each patient’s needs.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the dedicated multi-disciplinary staff who play such an important role in transforming the lives of their patients.”
Professor Jann Gardner, NHS Lanarkshire Chief Executive, said: “Brain injury can impact on every aspect of a person’s life, from managing their daily activities, maintaining effective and loving relationships with family and friends, to being able to continue to work or study.
“Our inpatient and community brain injury rehabilitation service is a further example of our commitment to providing increasingly sophisticated care within our communities for our communities.”
As well as the acronym, Brain Injury Assessment and Rehabilitation, the inspiration behind the name Briar is, while brain injury recovery is thorny and painful, with rehabilitation and support the individual can recover and bloom like the Briar Rose.
A multi-disciplinary team of specialised healthcare professionals work collaboratively from The Briar Centre to provide comprehensive rehabilitation personalised to each patient’s individual needs.
Lorraine Smith (61), from East Kilbride, spent a few weeks in University Hospital Hairmyres with meningitis before being transferred to The Briar Centre for treatment. She arrived at the centre unable to move but, during her five weeks at the centre, she learned to walk again with the aid of sticks.
Lorraine said: “The care you receive at the centre is personal to you with daily exercises tailored to your ability. The staff make you feel very relaxed and I cannot rate the care and treatment highly enough.”
Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “This seamless service smooths the transition from hospital to community rehabilitation and allows patients the best opportunity to return home, and to their everyday lives, at the earliest opportunity with specialist rehabilitation at every stage of their recovery.
“The Briar Centre reflects our ongoing commitment to patient-centred care and innovation, with a new model of care informed by both a deep understanding of the lived-experience of patients and their families, and our appreciation of the high-level of expertise amongst our multi-disciplinary teams working across our acute, community and primary care settings.”
In Lanarkshire, an average of 250 people a year sustain a brain injury severe enough to require specialist rehabilitation. The inpatient and community brain injury rehabilitation service enables the most effective and seamless rehabilitation across all parts of the patient’s recovery.
William Cairns (54) was rushed to University Hospital Monklands, also with meningitis, after being found ill at his home in Coatbridge.
After spending time in intensive care, William was transferred to the Briar Centre and within three weeks was walking unaided and discharged home.
William said: “The staff were so good to me and I enjoyed my stay in the centre and the progress I made thanks to their care and support.”
Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire Deputy Chief Executive, was the was the Senior Responsible Officer for the project to create The Briar Centre.
Colin added: “A huge amount of work has been invested by a range of dedicated staff in bringing our new Brain Injury Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre to fruition.
“The Briar Centre has increased our ability to provide local rehabilitation and comprehensive support systems that enable recovery and enhance the quality of life for individuals with brain injuries. This in-patient facility will complement the community-based rehabilitation we have had in Lanarkshire for the last 10 years.”
The Health Secretary recorded a thank you message for the staff after the official opening.
The video can be viewed using this link – https://vimeo.com/962091804
