It was the classical Greek philosopher Socrates who said, “To find yourself, think for yourself”. Although dating to approx 350 BC, this famous saying couldn’t be more relevant to the direction that Sue Ryder is taking in neurological care. We are now in a period of transition from an institutionalised care home setting to a specialist centre focusing on rehabilitation and enabling people to live in the community and claim their independence.

Support people in a very different way, giving them what they need to remain as independent as possible

This is our vision for the new Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre Lancashire, which will open its doors in Spring 2020.  Having this brand new facility will enable us to support people in a very different way, giving them what they need to remain as independent as possible.

Once someone is referred to the centre, the expert team will work with that person on an intensive programme of therapy to regain their physical function, social skills and confidence before returning home.  It doesn’t have to be about taking up permanent residency in the building or about living in the building.

Obviously, we will provide residential care to those who are at a much more complex stage of their condition and require full-time support, but for me, it’s exciting to think we can reach out to as many people as possible with advice and information so that they can figure out what a diagnosis means for them.

In the heart of a community

Another aspect of the new specialist centre which is really exciting is being in the heart of a community and getting clients back to a level of normal living within that community.  The centre also has four bungalows which will lend themselves perfectly to rehabilitation and we’re also looking to develop a community cafe for early point of diagnosis, where people can drop in when they want and chat about what’s going to happen next and their plans for the future.

Our new focus on rehabilitation will allow some residents to be supported in different ways, to ensure they can be largely independent. This will require a new way of thinking for our team, to move from ‘I’ll do that for you’ to ‘I’ll support you in trying to do this yourself’.

Revolutionising a substantial part of the Sue Ryder care offering

Our incredible team of nurses will have to step back a bit more and learn to let clients attempt things on their own before they step in.  We’re not expecting everyone to go back to 100 per cent mobility and function but we’ll get them as far as is physically possible for them.  It’s exciting because it’s something innovative and new.  We are revolutionising a substantial part of the Sue Ryder care offering.

People don’t know what they need until they need it. If someone’s just got a diagnosis and they don’t know what that’s going to mean for them, they tend to automatically think it means the worst case scenario.  We want to guide people with information and support, which is why we a really keen to expand our face-to-face counselling service.

We’ve also got volunteering opportunities to offer someone who has received a diagnosis, so if they wanted to volunteer with us, to experience life in a Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre  and learn more about neurological conditions, that is an option. It will just ease that person’s journey and any anxiety they or their family have about what lies ahead.

Dynamic, person-centred care

This is a really interesting time for Sue Ryder’s neurological support.  We want to offer a service at the forefront of modernisation of neurological care, providing expert support and dynamic, person-centred care.  We want to help create the best environment for clients to thrive in their everyday lives, therapy sessions and social activities.