Outstanding rehabilitation centre for people with brain injuries is a 'life saver'

Staff at The Laurels in Lincoln, a neurological rehabilitation centre for people with brain injuries, have received an 'outstanding' rating from Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors for their commitment to safety and caring attitudes.

One of the home's residents is particularly enthusiastic about the support he receives at The Laurels. "They are literally life savers. Before I came here I had no hope. Now I have more than hope. I have a life" he said.

Inspectors singled out staff for the way they encouraged residents to build strong relationships with family members, friends and members of the community. Rob Assall-Marsden, CQC’s head of inspection for Adult Social Care in the central region said: “Staff encouraged people to maintain and develop all of their chosen personal relationships and to have an active presence in their local community.

“The registered manager was known personally to everyone at the service and people were kept at the heart of the services provided. People were actively involved in the preparation and ongoing review of their care plans."

Gaining an ‘outstanding’ rating from CQC puts a care provider in the top one per cent of care standards within the UK - a rare acheivement - but for a specialist provider such as the Laurels, it is even more so. There is however high demand for such niche care services.

The Laurels accommodates 12 adults who have a range of conditions, including head and brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, speech impairment, stroke and visual impairment.

Every year in the UK there are around 350,000 hospital admissions for Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI), 162,500 admissions for head injuries and 130,000 stroke admissions, according to brain injury charity, Headway. Rehabilitation is key to helping people with brain injuries and other associated conditions regain their independence and get back into the community.

CQC inspectors were impressed with how well the team communicated internally and with external agencies. Mr Assall-Marsden said: “Staff understood what was important to each person and worked closely with one another as well as external health and social care professionals to promote people's well-being.”

Sue Houston, registered home manager at The Laurels congratulated staff for their hard work. She said: “Great credit must go to our fantastic team, including care, therapy, governance and support staff, who enable our residents to achieve positive outcomes. Without their diligence and genuinely caring approach this would not have been achieved.”