5 minute read
Brain Injury Unit
Royal Rehab’s Brain Injury Unit (BIU) is a highly specialised service providing inpatient traumatic brain injury (TBI) specialist rehabilitation. One of only three state-wide services, the unit is dedicated to supporting adults aged 16 to 65 years with the skills, function, and confidence to live life as independently as possible following injury.
Individually tailored programs are delivered through a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals including rehabilitation doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. On-site resources include a gymnasium, hydrotherapy pool, productive garden, and adaptive exercise equipment. The inpatient service is also complemented by the Brain Injury Community Rehabilitation Team (BICRT) who provide support, care and advice, once inpatient rehabilitation is complete.
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Highlights
As Royal Rehab continued to work with the NSW Ministry of Health to support the COVID-19 response, senior nurses from the BIU were seconded to the Spinal Unit who were in turn, responding to the transfer of spinal unit patients from public hospitals into Royal Rehab’s private hospital. Staff demonstrated incredible resilience during what was another challenging year, as the teams worked collaboratively and seamlessly to provide patients with high quality care and support.
The year ahead
As some activities were paused or postponed due to COVID-19, the BIU is looking forward to re-instigating some of its patient-centred activities including discharge ceremonies. These ceremonies celebrate the remarkable achievements of patients who are ready to be discharged - an important milestone in their rehabilitation journey.
Providing much needed ‘furapy’
Freya is no ordinary Labrador. She has her own Royal Rehab staff identification card and works regular shifts in Royal Rehab’s Brain Injury Unit and Private Hospital.
Known as a ‘furapy’ dog, Freya plays a vital role in providing social and emotional support to patients. Just like other members of staff, Freya makes her morning rounds, visiting patients who look forward to giving her a pat or a carrot treat. Social Worker Lauren Bannerman says that Freya’s presence on the ward helps to ‘normalise’ the unit. “Having Freya on the ward helps make it less clinical - especially for those who have been here a long time,” Lauren says. “She also breaks down language barriers, creating meaningful opportunities for interaction.” Freya has her own work calendar and is booked in by therapists to assist with a range of tasks such as road safety or walking activities. She also supports language skills development, with patients learning how to give her instructions. On her scheduled breaks Freya likes to have a lie down and eat her lunch outside. She also likes belly rubs and rolling around in the garden.
Client, Jun Guo
Jun Guo arrived at Royal Rehab from Royal North Shore Hospital following a serious car accident, which resulted in severe brain injury, a broken collar bone, broken leg, and multiple injuries. Under the care of the Brain Injury Unit, Jun has a full schedule each day, which includes speech therapy, physiotherapy, and speech pathology. Jun’s wife and daughter Miranda visit each day to help with his care and provide support. Jun is a dog lover and misses his toy poodle. So, Freya’s visits are an absolute treat. As Jun’s primary language is Mandarin, Freya also provides him with an opportunity to connect and communicate without language presenting a barrier. When Jun says ‘bench,’ Freya lifts her front paws up onto the side of his bed or the arm of his wheelchair while he pats her and feeds her healthy carrot treats. Miranda can see how Freya’s presence relaxes her father whose ear-to-ear smile tells her how happy he is to see Freya. “When Freya visits, Dad becomes visibly relaxed, and I can tell from his big smiles that he is very happy to see her,” Miranda says.
Brain Injury Unit client Jun Guo with Freya.
Client, Neil Pidgon
Neil had a serious motorcycle accident in January 2022, resulting in traumatic injuries – a broken neck, broken leg, broken arm, broken ribs, a punctured lung, and severely damaged shoulder. Neil is a huge fan of Freya, who knows his voice and visits him regularly, sitting in pole position next to his wheelchair for pats, attention, and carrot treats. Neil says that he enjoys time with Freya, “She seems to know that I am a dog person,” he says. “It’s heartwarming to have a happy wagging tail visit you - she’s always attentive.” Neil has always maintained a positive outlook throughout his recovery and looks forward to being reunited with his own dog Patch when he returns home. He is full of praise for the expert care and support he has received in Royal Rehab’s Brain Injury Unit and is grateful for Freya’s regular visits.
- Neil Pidgon, client
Client Neil Pidgon with Freya.
