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A new program which aims to improve the lives of people living with neurological conditions will be piloted from 12 July.

The program is a collaboration between Cornwall Council’s Echo Day Centre in Liskeard and the Trust’s Stroke and Neurological Community Team. It is due to begin with a 14-week course for a group of 15 patients with varying neurological conditions.

The program is aimed at adults with physical or cognitive neurological impairments who have a long-term rehabilitation goal and can engage in activities. The goals can be centred around self-management and maintenance of their condition, independence, or life skills.

The program will be delivered once a week by Echo support workers. It will be monitored by therapists from the Stroke and Neuro Community Rehab Team.

Through a range of activities, it aims for patients to obtain support and gain the skills required to be able to live more independently. While reducing carer requirement. By receiving this support, it is hoped there will also be a reduction in referrals to treatment time and the usage of NHS services by patients.

At present, people living with a long-term neurological condition face up to a 3-month wait from date of discharge to access specialist NHS community rehabilitation. They may only receive physiotherapy or occupational therapy once a fortnight or less. During this program, they will be able to access support more quickly, have support worker contact every week. This will aid rehabilitation, better support carers and for some people, even reduce long-term care needs.

“We are hoping to be able to support people with regaining their independence and confidence with managing their long-term conditions through improved access to support and facilities and increased intensity of input during the program. We are hoping that this will reduce social isolation which is a problem within Cornwall, provide respite for carers, and support people with accessing services amongst the voluntary sector following the project.” Angela Gibbon, Physiotherapist and Trainee Consultant Practitioner in Neurological Rehabilitation and Echo Partnership Developer

The Echo Centre currently provides services such as social contact, cognitive exercises, activities to improve gross motor skills and functional activities to several people with a range of neurological conditions.

“All our staff are really excited to try working in a more joined up way. It will bring together 2 highly motivated teams with different skills to benefit the patients. As well as being an opportunity to share available resources within Cornwall.

“Our patients are so enthusiastic about the project. They have helped us develop the ideas. Going forwards, we aim to support people to take more control of their own lives, improve their health and wellbeing, work towards building their self-esteem. As well as empowering them to become more engaged, confident, and active. This will enable them to reach their full potential.” Lorna Searle, Team Leader