Bungay’s brain injury rehabilitation centre, Livability Icanho, set to close due to financial cuts
An East Suffolk brain injury rehabilitation centre is set to close in a money-saving move, which has been described as ‘deeply troubling’.
A notice was issued to charity Livability Icanho, in Rose Lane, Bungay, by NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, which said it will not be renewing its contract with the centre.
The reason cited for this was financial.
Current patients will continue their treatment plans until December of this year, with the closure date yet to be announced.
Jane Percy, executive director for care operations at Livability Icanho, said the Bungay service provides a lifeline to people in the locality.
“There is currently no other provision that matches Livability’s Icanho’s work in Waveney, supporting complex neuro-rehabilitation cases,” she said.
“The people we work with have multiple disabilities as a result of their brain injury or stroke.
“They need access to multiple therapy treatments to support with not just with physical recovery, but hidden disability which is less obvious; such as learning to speak again, relearning how to cook or go about organising daily life, returning to work or driving.
“Essentially, we help people to readjust to what is often a traumatic event and major change in their lives.
“This requires a specialist team of therapists who work together in a coordinated way to help people put their lives back on track.
“This service is not an add on, it is essential for those impacted by an acquired brain injury and ceasing supporting clients in Waveney is of huge concern for our work in this area.”
Patients who have suffered brain injuries will need to travel to the nearest centre in Stowmarket, which has been operating since 1998.
A spokesperson for the charity said people in the Waveney area will fall victims to a postcode lottery.
Sara Hazzard, assistant director at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and co-chair of the community rehabilitation alliance, said the move was deeply troubling.
She added: “Person-centred rehabilitation following a stroke or brain injury is not a nice-to-have.
“Quality rehabilitation is the key to support someone to live their life in good health. Regular rehabilitation is what people are supposed to have.
“Unfortunately, we are hearing of more cuts to rehab services. This is not only devastating for individuals but has a knock-on effect for the rest of the NHS.
“These cuts are short-sighted.
“When rehab services are in place they help avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions, and reduce ambulance queues, missed A&E waiting time targets, and harmful long stays.
“Services like this need to be respected, resourced, and retained for the value they provide for individuals and the NHS as a whole.”
The Bungay centre has stopped taking new referrals since April.
