High praise for Community Rehabilitation Service

Published: 10 February 2025

A dedicated service which aims to support East Renfrewshire residents to live well at home for longer has been praised for its impact.

The East Renfrewshire Community Rehabilitation Service is the only fully integrated health and social care rehabilitation service across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The team is made up of around 50 staff from a number of professions across East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).

As part of the HSCP's approach to reduce the number of avoidable hospital admissions, the service provides a range of supports to allow residents to maximise their independence at home, alongside supporting individuals following discharge from hospital.

Over the past six years, the number of referrals to the Community Rehabilitation Service has increased by 80%. The service includes a range of specialities, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, nursing, speech and language therapy, and a host of other staff, who all work together to deliver the best possible care.

The team has adapted to support the needs of East Renfrewshire's ageing population. This is to help more people retain their independence for as long as possible, whether they are living at home or in one of the area's 13 care homes. As part of this approach, the service recently developed an Advanced Frailty Practitioner role, alongside the implementation of a link physiotherapist and occupational therapist for every care home across the area.

Councillor Katie Pragnell, Chair of the East Renfrewshire HSCP Integration Joint Board, said: 'It is fantastic to see this joined up approach and it's clearly having a positive impact on our residents. As demand for our Community Rehabilitation Service increases, our team continues to be creative and flexible to ensure we provide the best care possible. This service is truly sector-leading and I look forward to seeing it develop in the years ahead.'