Shared goals, shared knowledge: raising the profile of neurorehabilitation

07/02/2022

The Independent Neurorehabilitation Providers’ Alliance (INPA) recently joined The Neurological Alliance.

Chloë Hayward from INPA writes:

INPA is a collation of independent organisations providing rehabilitation for people with acquired brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions.

Some INPA members are large companies with multiple specialist units, others have one dedicated service. There are also companies that provide services to those residential services. All meet a set of standards that INPA regularly monitors.

The incentive to join The Neurological Alliance came from our shared knowledge that neurology services are not prioritised and are under-resourced. By adding our experiences and voice to The Neurological Alliance’s agenda we are able to give a response on behalf of those requiring neurorehabilitation, ensuring their needs are included in policy-making, an opportunity rarely open to us as a very small coalition.

Our research and experience shows that many NHS commissioners and other stakeholders have a limited understanding of how effective specialist neurorehabilitation can be and how much it can contribute to the positive long term outcomes, better health and a higher quality of life when you have a neurological condition.

Through the Alliance we are able to share our expertise more widely and support the Alliance’s goal of raising the profile of neurology and increasing awareness and understanding of the needs of people with neurological conditions among decision-makers.

Lesley Pope, chair of INPA, adds: “Attending the Alliance’s AGM provided an opportunity to meet some of the other organisations within The Neurological Alliance and to fully appreciate the scope of its membership.

“The keynote speech by Caroline Clarke, CEO of the Royal Free Foundation Trust and trustee of Overcoming MS, gave a clear insight into the challenges currently facing the NHS but also highlighted the possible opportunities for patients with the implementation of integrated care systems, a hot topic at present for INPA members who are preparing for the full system implementation in April 2022.

“In addition, Georgina Carr’s review of the year showcased the achievements of the Alliance in raising the profile of those with neurological conditions and influencing policy at both a national and local level. I look forward to INPA being a part of the work planned for 2022.”

To find out more about neurorehabilitation and INPA, please visit in-pa.org.uk.