A pioneering neuro and spinal rehabilitation centre in Middlesbrough is set to help save the NHS millions of pounds while improving patient outcomes, research has revealed.
The Gateway has been developed to support the NHS by facilitating quicker discharge from hospital, reducing long-term care costs and helping people live more independent lives.
With the NHS under pressure to save billions of pounds by 2015, research published this year by The Office of Health Economics stated that private rehabilitation facilities that meet a consistently high standard could save the NHS approximately £120m – enough to pay for 5,000 newly-qualified nurses.
The Gateway is the future of rehab. It is the first model on which we will base the other facilities and we expect the industry to follow suit
Dubbed ‘the future of neuro-rehab’, the £10m facility in Middlehaven is the first of Keiro’s new designs to be introduced as part of a unified rehabilitation model with an array of service partners set to roll out across the UK over the next five years.
Viv Watson, managing director at Keiro, said: “The UK already has fewer rehabilitation specialists per head than any other European country apart from Ireland.
“By creating The Gateway, we are helping to provide a much-needed service for clients and adopting best practice and partnerships to develop more specialist facilities and integrated service pathways across the rest of the UK.”
The Gateway boasts six purpose-built floors with 40 beds, as well as a specialist health and wellbeing hub with fully-integrated health club for clients and visitors, along with a range of transitional and supported housing options. The wellbeing hub is open to non-residents, to encourage and help people to retain their independence by accessing the specialist services, support and information provided.
Watson said: “The Gateway is the future of rehab. It is the first model on which we will base the other facilities and we expect the industry to follow suit. With state-of-the-art equipment and amenities, we can provide a bespoke service for those who have been discharged from hospital-based neuro and spinal units needing long-term support, and we have a significant multidisciplinary team in place providing specialist input.”
As part of the development, which has created over 100 new jobs, Teesside-based Erimus Housing has provided an array of transitional housing options to enable people to move towards more community living options and living independently.
Watson said: “With an array of specialist support in the transitional houses to promote independent living along with the use of onsite hub facilities, not only builds confidence in the patient, but assists and supports their families, too, who can stay with them in the property.”
An array of specialist support in the transitional houses to promote independent living, along with the use of onsite hub facilities, not only builds confidence in the patient, but assists and supports their families, too
An initial 12 transitional houses and apartments based on the same site enables The Gateway service to assist clients with a step forward to independent living and long-term housing options with the housing partner. The Gateway hub also offers a number of services from voluntary, independent, statutory and education organisations with a knowledge centre to support clients, their families and members of the wider community to help self-manage their conditions. The health and wellbeing hub hosts a hydro-pool, spa, steam room, hydro shower, gymnasium, therapy rooms and a bistro-style café for both clients and visitors.
The new care facility is located directly adjacent to Middlesbrough College and near Temenos, the £2.7m sculpture by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond, Terrace Hill’s Hudson Quay office development and the Community in a Cube.
