Redefining The Rehabilitation Model

STEPS Rehabilitation is a state-of-the art, purpose-built rehabilitation facility in Sheffield. Since opening its doors in 2017 it has quickly established itself amongst the legal sector as the ‘go to’ rehabilitation facility for seriously injured clients looking for high quality rehabilitation care.

But what sets the centre apart? What impact does this have on a client’s recovery? In this article, Founding Directors, Jules Leahy and Toria Chan explain how STEPS is striving to set new standards of best practice when it comes to rehabilitation by embracing an inter-disciplinary and holistic approach to achieve better results.

Whatever the circumstances of a person becoming severely injured, all are united by a common goal: to return, as near as possible, to pre-injury activity and independence levels. Experience has shown the team at STEPS that because each client’s needs are unique, for rehabilitation to be as effective as possible, their rehabilitation programme must be unique too.

The medical and rehabilitation needs of a seriously injured client can be complex and wide ranging. STEPS see first-hand the benefits clients derive from having an inter-disciplinary team (IDT) approach to rehabilitation. Every aspect the rehabilitation needs of an individual must be carefully assessed and managed by medical and therapy experts working across a range of specialisms.

STEPS provide a wide range of treatments and therapies to clients who have suffered brain and spinal injuries. It is also the only residential rehabilitation centre for amputees in the UK – working closely with Blatchford and often dealing with insurers directly – to provide a comprehensive amputee rehabilitation programme from casting of the prosthetic limb to fitting and subsequent rehabilitation.

They are one of only a very small number of specialist rehabilitation facilities who can treat clients with complex injuries under one roof, rather than clients being required to attend multiple centres to treat different aspects of their condition. This allows all the professionals who make up the IDT to collaborate more easily to deliver the very best rehabilitation programme possible, this in turn means that clients are better engaged in the whole process which helps achieve optimum results.

Take the case of a teenage boy injured in an accident who was told there was nothing further that could be done for him and was referred to STEPS to be “cared for” whilst his home was adapted. He arrived in a low awareness state with no purposeful movement, doubly incontinent and with a tracheostomy. After assessment and a comprehensive rehabilitation programme, one year on he can walk, talk, eat and is making positive progress with his bladder and bowel regime.

“STEPS have humanised me again.”

‍Lawyers who refer seriously injured clients to STEPS recognise not just the benefits that early and interdisciplinary rehabilitation has on their clients, but also the added benefits of taking a holistic approach to the care. “It’s our holistic approach that really sets us apart” says Director, Toria Chan. “Our ethos is to look after the person as a whole and not just think about clients in typical rehabilitation terms.”

‍This means appreciating the important role that families play, encouraging family members and friends to get involved in ‘normal’ activities such as cooking together, playing games and sharing mealtimes. “We have a high-ratio of staff to clients which enables us to respond to client requests and run organised activities in the evening and over weekends” says Managing Director, Jules Leahy. “Things don’t stop at the end of a normal working day.”

‍Ed, a doctor who was severely injured in a cycle accident and a residential client says: “STEPS have a totally different philosophy. It’s about improving my quality of life in as many ways as possible. Staff are well trained, have a positive ‘can-do’ attitude, and a willingness to try anything. STEPS have humanised me again.”

‍The girlfriend of one client explains, “STEPS are passionate about including family members in the care of individuals and I love that about them. I can see just how well all the therapists, doctors and nurses collaborate and the positive impact this has on the treatment and recovery of clients.”

‍This modern approach to rehabilitation not only improves outcomes for clients but does so in a timelier and cost-effective manner than traditional methods. The traditional model can be disjointed, prolongs rehabilitation and invariably increases costs of rehab and litigation.
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