Established in 1854, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) continues today as a charity, research centre and specialist provider of care and rehabilitation for adults living with the effects of life changing brain injury or illness. The RHN are one of the oldest, independent charity hospitals in the UK.
People come to the RHN following traumatic brain injury which can be caused by traffic accidents, sporting injuries, assaults, or medical emergencies such as stroke, heart attack or asthma attacks. Injuries that can happen to any of us at any time. We also care for people living with neurological conditions such as Huntington’s Disease and Motor Neurone Disease.
Our charitable income allows the RHN to provide additional therapies, services, equipment and innovative technologies. These additional therapies include music therapy, therapeutic art, aquability and our leisure and family support services, adapted sports sessions, gardening group, equipment such as communication aids, specialist wheelchairs, bespoke beds and mobility equipment. Funding also allows the hospital to have their very own research department; ensuring our processes and overall care are evidence-based and focused on positive patient outcomes. These extras allow the RHN to improve quality of life for patients whatever their ability, which is only made possible through people donating and supporting the medical charity.
To give you an example, much loved patient and resident Deirdre came to the RHN over 30 years ago with multiple sclerosis. Deirdre was paralysed from the neck down. Therefore using our specialist wheelchair service, the RHN managed to build a unique adapted wheelchair just for Deirdre. The hospital’s assisted technology team created her a joy stick which is connected to her wheelchair and enables her chin to control all the movement of her electronic wheelchair. This gives Deidre the independence to navigate herself around. This has helped to give Deirdre her freedom back.
The RHN believes you must look at a person as a whole, the patients’ choice and communication are integral to everything we do and the decisions we make. Though levels of ability are different from person to person, we work to provide the best possible quality of life for everyone entrusted to our care.
Supporting the RHN makes a real difference to people who experience disability as a result of a brain injury. Without your donations we simply cannot provide the services that enhance the quality of life for our patients and their families. This year we have the challenge of raising £3.4m. Thank you for your support.