Supporting Rehab Research and Innovation
On Day Four of Celebrating Community Services Week, we take a look at how our specialist rehabilitation services work with partners in industry, science and higher education to innovate and enhance the support they provide.
Our rehabilitation services teams assist people living in all parts of the West Midlands to manage physical, cognitive, emotional and social disabilities. Multidisciplinary teams of clinical professionals and support staff provide personalised, integrated services to meet the needs of individual patients and their carers.
Clinical teams work at West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre , Selly Oak and in satellite clinics across the region. At Moseley Hall Hospital, the division operates the 24-bedded inpatient neurological rehabilitation unit and the Moor Green outpatient brain injury service .
Our adult and specialist rehabilitation services division also includes community outpatient teams providing musculoskeletal, podiatry, nutrition and dietetics services plus neuro- and stroke rehabilitation in the community.
Our rehabilitation teams have a track record of invention and innovation - working with partners in healthcare science and higher education to promote independence and quality of life.
Pioneering prosthetic care
The amputee rehabilitation team have been taking part in a pilot project using new specialist equipment as part of pre-prosthetic rehabilitation for some through-knee and above-knee amputees.
The team has started using adjustable sockets with microprocessor knees to rehabilitate patients during the pre-prosthetic stage - one of only a handful of UK centres to be given this opportunity.
Physio Ellie Leech said: “Since using this set-up, we have noticed significant improvements in patient gait and improved transition from pre-prosthetic to prosthetic mobility - for example, improved confidence, improved gait, quicker progression of walking aids and improved mobility levels.
“This is subsequently decreasing the amount of physiotherapy input needed for patients, allowing us to reduce waiting times and see more patients.”
Kenevo microprocessor knee case study.
Supporting research and innovation
In 2024-25, West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre provided over 50,000 contacts with clinical professionals. The outpatient brain injury service at Moseley Hall delivered over 11,000 interactions with members of our team.
Alongside that core purpose to promote independence and quality of life, the breadth of our rehabilitation services' client base provides opportunities to support innovation and understanding through research partnerships with Higher Education:
Recent examples include:
Couples therapy following brain injury
A groundbreaking research project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research explored the impact of brain injury on couples and how therapy can help rebuild relationships.
The study introduced a new therapeutic approach called Continuity Therapy , which aims to help couples reflect on their relationship before and after brain injury; identify what has changed; and strengthen what remains. The therapy encourages open conversations about grief, resilience, and hope for the future.
This research highlights the importance of emotional support and tailored therapy in recovery - not just for patients, but their partners too.
Understanding and reducing hospital readmission after hip fracture
BCHC contributed to a study, funded by Birmingham Health Partners , with sponsorship from the University of Birmingham, exploring why patients who experienced a hip fracture were more likely to be readmitted, and what could be done to reduce these readmissions.
The study highlighted several systemic challenges, particularly around the care pathway, communication, and the burden placed on patients and carers.
The team identified 22 potential action areas to address these issues, grouped into four themes - adequate information, individualised care, access to services, reviewing the hip fracture pathway
Exploring the Future of Care: Hospital at Home and Virtual Wards
This study explored the evolving “Hospital at Home” model, also known as virtual wards, mapping out intended benefits and potential unintended consequences of delivering hospital-level care in patients' homes.
The research highlighted key factors for successful implementation such as clinical buy-in, effective communication, and workforce re-modelling, while also identifying risks like digital exclusion and fragmented care.