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First patient into country’s first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre hails it as ‘best birthday present’
The very first patient has arrived through the doors of the country’s first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) and is celebrating an extra special day as it is also his 37th birthday.
The NRC is a 70-bed, state-of-the-art specialist rehabilitation centre for NHS patients who have experienced a life-changing illness or injury, is run and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), and has opened to patients today, Wednesday 2 September.
Neil Smith, a self-employed builder from Milford, Derbyshire, was first through the doors of the pioneering centre, and was welcomed by members of NUH’s Trust Board and other senior colleagues.
Today also happens to be Neil’s 37th birthday, and he described moving into the NRC and being asked to be the first patient as being the ‘best birthday present’.
He said: "It obviously makes the day even more special for me. Knowing that I'll receive the best possible care here is the best birthday present I could ask for."
Neil is receiving rehabilitation with the hopes of being able to walk again after he was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
He explained that after undergoing a procedure involving a spinal block, complications triggered the neurological condition, which led to saddle numbness, numbness down his left leg and tremors in both legs.
Neil said: "Walking and standing are difficult. The pain used to be intense but now that I'm here the doctors have got that under control. Our focus now is on managing the tremors and hopefully getting me back on my feet.
He added: "I look forward to being able to play sport with my son again, whether that's badminton, mountain biking or golf. I know there's a pitch and putt course at the NRC and I fully intend to beat the course record."
Dr Javvad Haider, Rehabilitation Medicine Lead at the NRC and Neil’s consultant, explained that Neil is the ideal candidate for the NRC.
He said: “Neil is a very specific case where his condition is quite disabling and requires a very specialist team approach in dealing with this condition.
"The NRC, together with its advanced technology and purpose-built environment, gives us the ability to deliver rehabilitation at a level beyond anything we have previously experienced.
"We hope we can help Neil get back to being the dad and husband he wants to be .”
“For a patient like Neil, the NRC could be life changing”
Neil's goal is to walk out of the NRC and return home to his wife, Jade, and their 12-year-old son, Alfie. One of the things he is most looking forward to is cycling a lap of Carsington Water with his son.
