How difficult is it to move to a new Rehab Unit if unhappy with the current one?

[WayneG1]

Does anyone have any experience of moving a relative from a NHS facility to a different one or even a Private facility funded by NHS? How difficult is this to achieve?

My Brother is in a 2b NHS facility and they are struggling to bring about any consistent progress. There are care issues and very poor communication and involvement with us the family also.

He has been with them around 10 weeks, previously spending 12 weeks on a Respiratory ward at the local hospital following his accident in September.

Granted his injuries are severe but to our view he seems to have regressed since being there. Particularly his swallow reflex and the amount of time he attempts to speak.

Therapy sessions look to be inconsistent and equipment in the Gym etc is very sparse. As mentioned there are care issues also and a general lack of compassion amongst nursing and care staff driven I think by a lack of leadership on the unit outside the office hours when the seniors are not on shift.

I have seen other facilities where the attitude is much more positive and compassionate. They have produced good results with patients that have injuries on the severe end of the spectrum.

We would dearly love my Brother to have the opportunity to experience such an environment. It feels that he has not had the best of care and support since he left the critical care unit back in September

[cat3]

Sorry to hear of your brother's situation Wayne. My only knowledge of rehab facilities is what I've gleaned from Headway members, and it's not pleasant reading.

Some members have tried in vain to have loved ones transferred either for better treatment or to be within a more reasonable visiting distance. There are those who travel 3 & 4 hours just for a single visit, so their only options are going private or visiting less..............a tough call when you cant afford the fees.

It seems increasingly the norm that we have the best possible emergency care but then are left pretty much to our own devices, with little or no aftercare.

I'm convinced this erosion of the NHS is a cynical attempt to drive us into private health care through sheer desperation. I really hope, if you keep pushing hard, you'll manage to get a transfer for your brother to somewhere with better care & facilities. Sadly, I think it's mainly down to luck.............so wishing your brother, you & family the very best of luck Wayne. Cat x