Walmersley Unit is a team-led, inpatient facility providing interdisciplinary team assessment and rehabilitation of brain injured adults. The unit facilitates rehabilitation for a range of patients, from Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness (PDOC) to the more independent.

Referrals and admissions

The neurorehabilitation services at Walmersley Unit are suitable for individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Individuals aged 16 years and over
• Have had a brain injury
• Other neurological conditions, for example Guillain–Barré syndrome and spinal injuries

The Walmersley Unit service is not able to accept people requiring:

• Vocational rehabilitation
• Active substance misuse
• Patients detained under the mental health act

There may be a more appropriate service that can cater to these requirements within Priory’s wider network of services.

Rehabilitation objectives

Rehabilitation is goal-driven and patient-centred, aiming at all times to optimise the individual’s potential. The team works with the patient, family, local services and other agencies to achieve the most appropriate discharge environment.

Walmersley Unit facilities

• 19 spacious bedrooms over 2 floors
• Large dining facility / recreational area
• Fully adapted, well equipped shower rooms / toilet facilities
• Separate family room for visitors
• Fully equipped and adapted gym
• Free car parking
• Minibus for patients' transport and social trips

The team

The team on Walmersley Unit comprises:

• Consultant in Neurorehabilitation
• Specialty Doctor
• Clinical Psychologist
• Registered Nurses
• Healthcare Assistants
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs)
• Physiotherapists
• Assistant Psychologist
• Family Liaison Officer
• Generic Therapy Assistants
• Dietitian
• Advocacy

Torrance House is a well-established nurse-led children's continuing care unit, providing skilled nursing care for young people from birth to 17 years of age with a brain injury or progressive neurological condition (PNC). The team are efficient in the respiratory management of the neurologically impaired patient.

Referrals and admissions

We are able to offer placements for the following patients:

• Young people from birth to 17 years of age
• Presenting with a brain injury, complex neurological conditions or inherited disorders

Torrance House approach to care

The nursing team at Torrance House provides individualised nursing care plans in a residential setting, supported by the medical and therapy team. Six-monthly review meetings are held to ensure appropriate care packages are maintained.

Care includes:

• Respiratory management of the neurologically impaired patient
• Postural management
• Dysphagia management
• Spasticity management
• Bladder and bowel management
• Complex medication regimes
• Enteral feeding
• Epilepsy management

Family-centred philosophy

Family involvement is encouraged from admission. Family and friends are free to visit at any time and home visits are also encouraged.

School

Many of the children are integrated into local schools with programmes tailored to meet their individual needs.

Social and recreational activities

These activities are age appropriate and play a very important role in the child's health and wellbeing and include:

• Trips to the cinema
• Hair and beauty
• Massage
• Video nights
• Trips to the shops
• Days out e.g. Chester Zoo, Blackpool
• Arts and crafts
• Cooking
• Gardening
• Music
• Educational toys
• Sensory stimulation

The team

The team comprises:

• Consultant Paediatric Intensivist
• Specialty Doctor
• Paediatric Nurses
• Clinical Psychologist
• Registered Nurses
• Healthcare Assistants
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Assistant Psychologist
• Family Liaison Officer
• Generic Therapy Assistants
• Dietitian
• Advocacy

Torrance House facilities

Our facilities include:

• 5 personalised bedrooms
• Adapted, well-equipped shower/bathroom
• Activities lounge
• Enclosed patio area

Elton Unit is a 28-bedded specialist care home which facilitates quality care for adults aged 18 years and older, with a brain injury. The service is aimed at those whose disability requires management by a specialist team of practitioners who work together to maintain the patient’s wellbeing and quality of life. The Elton Unit offers specialist care for a wide range of complex neurodisabilities including patients in a prolonged disorder of consciousness (PDOC).

Care includes:

• Respiratory management of the neurologically impaired patient
• Postural management
• Dysphagia management
• Spasticity management
• Enteral feeding
• Epilepsy management

Family-centred philosophy

Families are recognised as central to the wellbeing of the patient and are encouraged to play a key role in care planning.

Social and recreational activities

Elton Unit provides an informal environment in which the social and recreational co-ordinator plays an important role.

Programmes include:

• Group activities
• Community trips
• Games
• Art and crafts
• Video sessions
• Monthly theme night

Individual activities include:

• Home visits
• Individual outings / meals

The team

The unit has a dedicated, caring and experienced team who work closely together to meet our patients' needs. The team includes:

• Consultant in neurorehabilitation
• GPs with specialist brain injury experience
• Clinical Psychologist
• Registered Nurses
• Healthcare Assistants
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech and Language Therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Assistant Psychologist
• Generic Therapy Assistants
• Dietitian
• Advocacy

Elton Unit facilities

Elton Unit provides specially-adapted facilities to help those patients with physical needs. Facilities include:

• 28 personalised bedrooms
• Fully adapted, well-equipped shower / bathrooms
• Social and recreational rooms
• Patient lounges
• Quiet lounge / relatives visiting area
• Large dining room
• Peaceful grounds with patio and seating area
• Sensory area
• Minibus