The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a new draft guideline covering rehabilitation after traumatic injury.
In England, 45,000 people are affected by very severe or major trauma every year.
The draft guideline outlines how to develop a rehabilitation plan and monitor progress against the plan. It also includes recommendations to support physical, cognitive and psychological rehabilitation, and for specific injuries such as spinal cord injuries and limb loss or reconstruction.
Rehabilitation following traumatic injury should focus on the person’s goals and help them to resume their life, whether that involves work, education or activities, according to the draft recommendations.
It advises that the rehabilitation needs of the injured person should be assessed and discussed with the person and their family at an early stage.
Short- and long-term goals should be agreed upon between the injured person, their family/carers and health care professionals depending on the injured person’s priorities. These goals should be reviewed regularly and should be flexible as setbacks to rehabilitation may occur.
The draft guideline recommends that health care professionals assess the effect of a traumatic injury using a person-centred and individualised approach throughout rehabilitation, as the severity of an injury does not necessarily reflect the complexity of their needs.
Dr Paul Chrisp, Director of NICE’s centre for guidelines, said: “Improved survival rates following major trauma has led to an increased need for rehabilitation services. Traumatic injury can cause huge disruption to people’s lives, but effective rehabilitation can really help them to get back to the best possible level of function and independence.”
He added: “Coordination and communication between the various services supporting the injured person’s rehabilitation is key, and we hope these draft recommendations not only help practitioners to deliver high quality care, but also supports consistent care across the country.”
The consultation is open until 8 September 2021.
