A Martyr Worthy based rehabilitation facility was praised by Steve Brine as he opened a Parliamentary debate on acquired brain injury on Monday 18th June.
Hobbs Rehab, which has been visited recently by Steve Brine and Prince Harry, provides outpatient physiotherapy and rehabilitation services including daycare for neurological conditions including as Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Cerebral Palsy and Acquired Brain Injuries, from its base in the heart of the Itchen Valley.
Their services include neurological physiotherapy, neurological occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and neuropsychology. In addition, they run a variety of exercise classes, a fortnightly orthotics clinic, a regular hypertonicity clinic and comprehensive splinting as required.
Winchester MP Steve Brine, who opening the debate as Public Health Minister, covered a lot of ground in his remarks, including the importance of rehabilitation, when he discussed the Rehab Matters campaign.
He told the Commons: "Rehabilitation is a key part of the patient's recovery. I saw at first hand the impact that this can have in helping people to recover from illness or injury when I visited the Hobbs rehabilitation centre in my Winchester constituency earlier this year.
"The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy launched its Rehab Matters campaign here in the House at the end of October last year. It makes a very powerful case for community rehabilitation, and I think that all commissioners should ensure that levels of provision are meeting local needs and look to places such as the Hobbs centre as a good example of what can be achieved through rehabilitation care."
The debate heard contributions from members across the House, including Caroline Lucas, Alex Chalk, Jim Shannon and Nic Dakin, and Mr Brine paid tribute to John Hayes and Chris Bryant for their 'persistence' in securing the session.
Mr Brine concluded: "I fully recognise the devastating impact that acquired brain injuries can have on individuals and their families. The evidence shows that neglecting rehabilitation is a false economy. Rehabilitation equips people to live their lives, fulfil their potential and optimise their contribution to their family, their community and society as a whole.
"​I am honoured to have introduced this debate and, as always in such debates, I look forward to hearing the views and insights from across the House on what further work or support is needed to reduce risk and improve the care available."
Pictured; Steve Brine visiting Hobbs Rehab in Martyr Worthy back in January 2018.
More information ...
