'Lifeline' brain injury rehab service to be closed

A rehabilitation service for people with brain injuries is set to be closed down in a money-saving move which has been described as “deeply troubling”.

The NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board has announced it will not be renewing its contract with Livability Icanho for its rehabilitation service in Bungay, Suffolk.

In the last year the satellite site supported 40 clients and their families and currently has 14 patients from the Waveney area on its books.

NHS bosses have said the decision has been made because of “financial pressures” and the patients affected have been informed and offered support.

Jane Percy, executive director for care operations at Livability Icanho, said the service provides “a lifeline to people in the locality” and disagrees with the closure, which is set for December.

“There is currently no other provision that matches Livability Icanho’s work in Waveney, supporting complex neuro-rehabilitation cases,” she added.

“We help people to readjust to what is often a traumatic event and major change in their lives - ceasing supporting clients in Waveney is of huge concern.”

Despite the decision, qualifying patients who live in Suffolk will still be able to receive the same care at Livability Icanho’s main branch in Stowmarket.

Sara Hazzard, assistant director at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and co-chairperson of the community rehabilitation alliance, said: “It is deeply troubling this vital service has not been renewed. Unfortunately, we are hearing of more cuts to rehab services.

“When rehab services are in place they help avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions, and reduce ambulance queues and missed A&E waiting time targets.

“Services like this need to be respected, resourced and retained for the value they provide for individuals and the NHS as a whole.”

A spokesperson for NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board said: “The service has naturally expired and the ICB is unable to invest in extending the service due to ongoing financial pressures.

“All residents will continue to have access to existing services such as occupational health, social care and voluntary support for their rehabilitation journey.”

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