A pioneering online rehabilitation service for people in Lancashire and South Cumbria living with brain injuries or stroke has been shortlisted for a national award.

The Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) Awards celebrate the delivery of exceptional care to patients and the NeuroRehabilitation Online Team (NROL) is one of just five finalists in the Digital Practice category.

The team uses online video sessions to provide group specialist neurorehabilitation.

Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech and language therapists and medical and assistant practitioners provide cognitive and physical support to help patients to continue their recovery in their homes.

Louise Connell, professor of allied health rehabilitation at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and Lancaster University, said: “What started off as a good idea to support our patients during COVID has developed into a fantastic addition to our service and it is now benefiting people living with brain injuries or stroke right across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

READ MORE: Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB appoints new chair

“Our patients have really welcomed and valued the online sessions as it is further supporting their recovery from the comfort of their own home, avoiding the need to travel to hospital and creating a support network. 

“We are all delighted to see the project being recognised by the CAHPO awards.”

The CAHPO award for digital practice highlights digital developments and judges were looking for allied health professionals who were able to demonstrate innovation in information and communication technologies.

NROL was initially created when SameYou, a brain injury recovery charity, worked with University College London during the pandemic when brain injury survivors were being discharged from acute care prematurely to free up bed spaces.

The pilot lasted six months and demonstrated that it could produce life-changing results.

SameYou then funded a two-year trial with the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria, which proved successful and led to funding from NHS England and Lancashire & South Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

SameYou’s mission is to pilot recovery innovations that bring immediate benefits to brain injury survivors and their families. 

It operates with a small team and works with powerful partners globally to launch ground-breaking therapies and lead vital research into brain injury.

READ MORE: Emilia Clarke receives MBE for East Lancashire charity work

Jenny Clarke, chief executive of SameYou, said: “From day one, the results of NROL have been astonishing.

"We are so thrilled it has been shortlisted for this award, which recognises the huge importance of an extra layer of support for survivors after brain injury - which we know is clearly missing.

“It’s essential that survivors know they haven’t lost the person they were before and with programmes such as NROL, it helps them to take back power to control their own recovery. 

“We want to thank the incredible team who deliver NROL, who have already changed the lives of so many survivors in desperate need of support.”

The CAHPO Award winners will be announced in October.