Cross-agency coordination for brain injury rehabilitation: a model in best practice of her claim
John sustained a diffuse axonal brain injury, with left sided weakness, a left leg fracture and rib fractures. Following his admission to hospital he required a tracheostomy, nasal-gastric feed and urinary catheter to be inserted.
John began to regain consciousness around three to four weeks after his accident, but he became quite disorientated and anxious in the ward environment. This caused him to become quite disruptive and he occasionally lashed out at members of staff. This was an extremely stressful time for John’s family, who could not be at the hospital 24 hours a day.
Jill Greenfield was instructed to pursue a personal injury claim for John, against the driver and insurer of the vehicle that hit him. She secured funding from the Defendants to implement a 24-hour private care support package while John was still in hospital. This began immediately and while John was still in the acute stages of recovery.
Case Manager Lottie Prowse of NeuroHealth was instructed to arrange and oversee every step of the rehabilitation process, including input from specialist support workers.
John’s private care team liaised closely with the general medical ward and senior nursing staff to ensure that support workers could be present on the ward and to gain their agreement for the proposed support plan. This was given the backing of John’s consultant neurologist.
The additional support had a positive impact on John’s ongoing rehabilitation and he was discharged from hospital in August 2014. Since his discharge, John has continued an intensive rehabilitation programme, including input from an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, neuropsychologist and speech and language therapist.
A personalised support plan was specially designed around John’s interests and likes, while focusing on the different cognitive functioning challenges he faces. John is naturally keen to get back to his music and this has been incorporated into his rehabilitation programme. In particular, John has become an active member of the Headway Choir and also with a “Jam” at The Silverlining.
Both Headway and The Silverlining are charities that help to support people who have sustained brain injuries.
Jill says:
“Through my work with clients who have experienced brain injury, what remains clear is that cross-agency collaboration from the acute stage, and strongly coordinated working between the NHS and private sector, can have a marked difference for rehabilitation.
"Following a model of best practice that sees agencies working more closely together from the beginning of the care process, and intensive support to aid rehabilitation being provided earlier, will ultimately be in the best interest of the client, as this will support the optimal recovery being achieved. To this end, it is also in the best interests of all other parties involved from the financial implications this may have for insurers, to helping ease the pressures placed on NHS resources.
"John has certainly benefitted from this approach to rehabilitation and it is great to see that his musical abilities are being developed and put to good use, through his work with Headway and The Silverlining.”
Contact us
For further information about brain injury claims and road traffic accident compensation claims, please call Jill Greenfield on 03304606778 or email jill.greenfield@fieldfisher.com.
Alternatively
- You can speak to our personal injury lawyers on freephone 0800 358 3848
- email us: personalinjury@fieldfisher.com
- Complete the short online enquiry form
All enquiries are completely free of charge and we will investigate all funding options for you including no win, no fee.