Buckinghamshire Neurorehabilitation Unit (BNRU)

The Buckinghamshire Neurorehabilitation Unit (BNRU) provides a specialist inpatient service for people with an acquired brain injury or progressive neurological condition. This includes people who have had a stroke or head injury and those who have long-term conditions such as multiple sclerosis. The BNRU has 17 beds and is based at AmershamHospital, serving patients from across Buckinghamshire and the surrounding counties.

A vast majority of our patients come to us from other hospitals where they will have received medical and sometimes surgical treatment following an acute incident/accident or illness. Patients are transferred to the BNRU when they have reached the stage where they are well enough to enter our rehabilitation programme. We also accept patients from the community if they have a neurological condition and need an intense period of rehabilitation. Referrals are normally made by a healthcare professional who knows the patient well (e.g. ward doctor, key worker, GP)  All referrals are screened by a senior member of the BNRU team prior to being accepted for admission.

Our clients

Our inpatient rehabilitation service is available to adults (aged 16 and over) who have experienced the sudden onset of a neurological condition who require an intensive period of inpatient rehabilitation following their acute treatment. This includes conditions such as stroke, head injury and cerebral hypoxia. It is also available to adults who have progressive neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis who have experienced a significant worsening of their symptoms, requiring inpatient rehabilitation.

Our team

The service is provided by an inter-disciplinary team including clinical neuropsychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, rehabilitation medicine, nursing and rehabilitation assistants.

Our service

Our dedicated neuro-rehabilitation inpatient unit was refurbished in October 2010. Particular care was taken to ensure our patients are cared for in a bright, airy environment that promotes wellbeing.  Our 17 beds are split into 5 single rooms, 11 beds in same sex bays and an independent living suite with bathroom and kitchen equipment.

The service provides specialist person-centred, goal directed, intensive inpatient neurorehabilitation, facilitated by a key worker. Following admission, patients are fully assessed to ensure a comprehensive and realistic rehabilitation plan can be developed to help them achieve their goals. Patients have weekly timetables that detail group and individual therapy sessions that will enable them to work towards their rehabilitation goals. There are a wide range of individual and group sessions aimed at improving ability and independence. These address physical, social, emotional and practical needs and thinking and communication difficulties.

Enquiries and referrals

If you would like more information about the BNRU or to make a referral, please contact:

Dr David Dean
Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist
Buckinghamshire Neurorehabilitation Unit
Amersham Hospital
Whielden Street
Bucks HP7 0JD

Tel: 01494 734102