NHS England’s rehab guidance could help physios to ‘improve provision’

Rehab is a powerful tool in bringing down the cost of healthcare, says NHS England

It advises that a person-centred approach will consider mental and physical health and ensure that support is designed around a person’s circumstances.

Self-management can help people to take control of their condition, so they understand how to monitor themselves; what measures they can take to prevent a recurrence or deterioration; and how to avoid secondary problems.

Rehabilitation should equip people to live as fully as possible, by focusing on the impact of a health condition or disability and not just the diagnosis, says the document published on 1 April.

The guidance is NHS England’s first comprehensive and evidence-based resource for commissioning rehabilitation, and Ruth ten Hove, the CSP’s head of research and development believes it will be valuable for physiotherapy staff.

‘Physiotherapists and physiotherapy service leads will be able to use this resource in conversations with commissioners about local rehab services, and to help make the case for improving current provision,’ said Ms ten Hove, who contributed to the guidance.

The comprehensive guidance includes evidenced examples which highlight both the breadth and depth of rehabilitation. For the first time, rehabilitation could be commissioned for a whole population. .

It sets out the economic case for rehabilitation, stating that physiotherapy services for people with dementia contribute to a cost saving of £6 million a year, including reducing the length of stay.