Courses, conferences, training and clinical supervision

Recent advances in the assessment and management  of people with severe brain injuries and a Disorder of Consciousness - 6th & 7th June 2024. National and international experts will be presenting latest research and developments in this topic. 

Venue: St George’s suite, Hilton Cobham, Seven Hills Rd, Cobham KT11 1EW (When coming from the A3/M25 Junction - the exit slip road towards the hotel is closed. You need to go towards London and do a U turn to come back to this exit/ roundabout from the London directiion ie A3 Southbound)

Day 1: Recent advances in the assessment, diagnosis and MDT management of people with severe brain injuries and disorders of consciousness conference Thursday 6th June 2024

09.15 – 09.30  Registration & Coffee Opening Introduction 

09.30 – 10.30 Evolution of the PDOC guidelines 2003-2023; Where have we come from and where are we going?. Professor Lynne Turner-Stokes DM FRCP Director, Regional Rehabilitation Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow

10.30 – 10.45  Coffee & Networking

10.45 – 11.30 Second opinions and best interest decisions in withdrawal of nutrition and Hydration in people with a Disorder of Consciousness. Views and perspectives of two experts (Professor Lynne Turner Stokes and Professor Derick Wade)

11.30 – 12.30 Recent Research: 

Neuroimaging in DoC: the role of EEG and (f)MRI as diagnostic and prognostic tools Pablo Núñez Novo, Post-Doc, Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège

Current trial of non-pharmacological interventions in DoC Paolo Cardone, FNRS ASP PhD student, Coma Science Group, GIGA-Consciousness, University of Liège

12.30 – 13.15 The prevalence of covert command following in people with PDOC; Findings from a large international multi centre research cohort. Dr Judith Alanson, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, Putney

Panel Q&As

13.15 – 14.15  Networking & Lunch

14.15 – 14.35 Recent Research Series/ complex case study presentations

Characterising the effects of Transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor network in PDOC patients. Gugan Sangha MSc, PhD Student, University of Birmingham.

14.35 – 15.05 PDOC Assessment and Measurement Tools- Time to change the focus?: SMART Profile refined and LOCCATE. Helen Gill-Thwaites MBE 

15.05 – 15.45 Spasticity assessment and measurement – Have we got it right yet? Prof Anand Pandyan, Executive Dean, Bournemouth University.  

15.45 – 16.10  Break 

16.10 - 16.55 Physical management of people with a Disorder of Consciousness. Progress so far and where are we heading? Dr Stephen Ashford Consultant Physiotherapist and Reader in Rehabilitation

Regional Hyper-acute Rehabilitation Unit & King’s College London 

Northwick Park Hospital

16.55 – 17.20 Rehabilitation and long-term care for people with severe brain injuries; How can professionals help families through the minefield? Judy Taylor, Brain Injury is BIG, family Representative.

Panel Q&As

17.20 Close

Day 2: Recent advances in the assessment, diagnosis and MDT management of people with severe brain injuries and disorders of consciousness conference 

Friday 7thJune 2024

09.30 – 09.40  Registration & Coffee

09.40 – 10.20 The role of General Practitioner in the management of people with a Disorder of Consciousness in a long term setting – Dr Nassif Mansour, GP partner, Central Surgery, Surbiton. 

10.20 – 11.00 Discontinuation of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration: supporting families and health care professionals. Professor Jenny Kitzinger, Director of Research: Impact and Engagement and Co-Director of the Coma and Disorders of Consciousness Research Centre.

11.00 – 11.20  Coffee & Networking

11.20 – 12.00 Peter Freeman, Treasurer, UKABIF Acquired Brain Injury strategy. How it impacts professionals and patients? What could we do to make it effective? 

12.00 – 12.35 Care Under Pressure: How can managers and leaders in healthcare support the frontline staff in the current challenging circumstances. Prof Cath Taylor, Professor of Healthcare Workforce Organisation and Wellbeing

Panel Q&As

12. 35 – 13.30   Networking & Lunch

13.30 – 14.10 Innovative interdisciplinary approaches to impaired coordination, cognition and emotional regulation to improve independence in an adult with posterior fossa syndrome.  Dr Vasileios Chatziagorakis (Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine), Elizabeth Jackson (Deputy CEO) and Nicole Fyfe, Clinical Services Manager, Castel Froma Neuro Care.

Restorative interdisciplinary intervention from PDOC to repatriation to East Timor: The importance of autonomy and channelling drive to reduce behavioural challenges and achieve maximal occupational output and independence following severe brain injury and poly trauma.  Dr Vasileios Chatziagorakis (Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine), Dr Katie McCourt  (Health Psychologist) and Elizabeth Jackson, Deputy CEO, Castel Froma Neuro Care.

14.10 – 14.35 Challenges in maintaining adequate nutrition for people with very severe brain injuries and Disorders of Consciousness. Alice Green, Highly Specialist Neuro-rehabilitation Dietitian, The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

14.35 - 15.15 Cranioplasty, craniotomies and craniectomies in people with severe brain injuries. Implications to patients and to the rehabilitation team. Dr Harry Mee, Specialist Registrar in Rehabilitation Medicine, Colman Centre of Neurological Rehabilitation, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust. Clinical Research Associate, Cambridge University.

15.15 – 15.35  Tea & networking

15.35 – 16.10 Challenges in the peripheral neurolysis and intrathecal management of spasticity in people with severe brain injuries and disorders of consciousness. Dr. Moheb Gaid, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, Colman Centre for Specialist Rehabilitation Services, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

16.10 – 16.50 Panel Q&As& Discussion on research priorities and invitations for collaboration

16.50  Close

Contact viji@hoperehab.co.uk for more details or an application form

The conference programme also includes series of short ‘recent research’ presentations, ‘complex case study’ presentations and panel discussions on pressing topics over the two days.

Introduction to brain injury and complex neuro disability - 2 day course for band 5/6 therapists and clinicians - November 2024

Past courses/ Study day 

Spasticity management workshop for clinicians - 27th January 2024 - Completed successfully

An informal study day for Doctors, physiotherapists and clinicians working with people with spasticity. 

Our clinical supervisors facilitate Journal Clubs and Complex case discussions using an evidence based approach, related to pre-agreed clinical topics.  We offer clinical supervision sessions for physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, health care assistants working with people with neurological conditions (Stroke, Parkinsons, brain injuries, Spinal cord injuries etc), complex neurodisabilities. These sessions can be provided in your work place on a 1-2-1 or for small groups. 

Safeguarding  - half day

Care planning - half day

24-hr posture management - half day 

Spasticity management - half day 

Splinting - half day 

Mental capacity act - half day

Withdrawing of treatment in people with complex neuro disabilities - half day

Acquired Brain injury - half day

Disorder of consciousness - half day

If your would like us to present a customised course or a workshop to suit your team's needs, We will be happy to discuss this with you. please get in touch.