Centres of Excellence:
The Wards Powering RHN’s Mission

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is a leading independent medical charity based in Putney, South-West London. Founded in 1854, RHN provides specialist care and rehabilitation for adults living with complex neurological disabilities such as brain injuries, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and prolonged disorders of consciousness. Although not part of the NHS, the hospital works closely with it and other healthcare providers. With a focus on innovation and compassionate care, RHN has been at the forefront of neuro-disability services for decades, establishing some of the UK’s first dedicated units for brain injury, vegetative states, and transitional rehabilitation.

The Royal Hospital of

Neuro Disability

RHN offers a wide range of services designed to support individuals through different stages of recovery and long-term care. These include acute and specialist rehabilitation, long-term residential care, and neuro-behavioural services. The hospital uses a multidisciplinary approach that combines medical expertise, therapeutic support, and assistive technology. Services are tailored to the specific needs of each patient and delivered by teams that include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and psychologists. RHN also operates a research and education unit. The Institute of Neuro-palliative Rehabilitation, which helps drive clinical advancements and improves outcomes for people with neuro-disabilities.

Brain Injury Service Wards

The Brain Injury Service wards at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability provide intensive, specialist rehabilitation for adults who have sustained a traumatic brain injury or other acquired neurological conditions such as stroke, hypoxia, or encephalitis. These wards are designed to support patients during the crucial early and mid-stages of recovery, when timely, structured intervention can have the greatest impact on long-term outcomes. Rehabilitation programmes are highly personalised and goal-oriented, tailored to each individual’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioural needs. Therapy may include physiotherapy to improve mobility and strength, occupational therapy to regain daily living skills, speech and language therapy to address communication or swallowing issues, and psychological support to help with adjustment and mental well-being.

The care model is collaborative and centred on the patient, with input from a multidisciplinary team that includes doctors, nurses, therapists, and social workers. Progress is regularly reviewed, and care plans are adapted to reflect the patient’s evolving needs and goals. A strong emphasis is placed on enabling functional independence and preparing patients for life beyond the hospital. Family members and carers are actively involved throughout the process, receiving guidance and training to ensure a smooth transition when the patient returns home or moves to a less intensive setting. The environment is supportive and therapeutic, with an underlying philosophy of respect, dignity, and empowerment, helping patients rebuild their lives with confidence after serious brain injury.

The Neuro-behavioral Service

The Neuro-behavioural Service, based on Wellesley Ward, provides specialised care for adults with acquired brain injuries and associated behavioural challenges, including those with conditions like Huntington’s disease. This 40-bed unit is designed for individuals whose behaviours may be complex or challenging, requiring a highly structured and therapeutic environment. The service is built around a Positive Behaviour Support model, which focuses on understanding and responding to behaviour in a respectful, person-centred way. Each patient receives a tailored care plan developed by a multidisciplinary team, including neuropsychologists, therapists, nurses, and support staff, with the goal of reducing challenging behaviour and improving quality of life.

Therapies offered include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language support, as well as music and art therapy to encourage emotional expression. Assistive technology is used to promote communication and independence, and specialist palliative care is available where needed. Staff are trained to manage behavioural complexities with sensitivity and an emphasis on safety, dignity, and patient engagement. The overarching aim of the service is to help patients achieve greater stability and, where possible, transition to a less intensive setting or return to the community.

Ventilation and Complex Respiratory Service

The Ventilation and Complex Respiratory Service at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, including the purpose-built Jack Emerson Centre, offers specialist care for individuals who rely on mechanical ventilation due to complex neurological or respiratory conditions. These patients often have high levels of dependency and require continuous monitoring and tailored support. The service is designed to provide not only clinical expertise but also a calm, home-like environment that supports emotional well-being. It caters to both long-term residents who require ongoing respiratory support and individuals undergoing rehabilitation following serious illness, surgery, or respiratory failure.

The unit makes extensive use of advanced assistive technologies, such as environmental control systems that allow patients to adjust lighting, temperature, and call for assistance, as well as specialist communication aids that give non-verbal patients a voice. A highly trained multidisciplinary team, comprising doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, and occupational therapists, works collaboratively to deliver individualised care plans focused on maintaining comfort, dignity, and enhancing autonomy. In addition to ensuring clinical stability, the service emphasises quality of life, helping patients engage with daily activities and maintain as much independence as their condition allows.

Continuing Care wards

The Continuing Care wards at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability provide long-term residential support for individuals living with severe neurological impairments. These may include conditions such as advanced multiple sclerosis, prolonged disorders of consciousness, or the later stages of progressive diseases like Huntington’s. Residents on these wards often have complex, ongoing needs that require continuous, 24/7 specialist nursing care. The environment is structured to be both safe and comforting, with an emphasis on promoting stability and responding to the unique challenges of each individual’s condition.

Care on these wards goes beyond basic medical support, focusing equally on physical comfort, emotional well-being, and quality of life. A multidisciplinary team, including nurses, doctors, therapists, and support staff, works closely with residents and their families to ensure that care remains person-centred, with dignity, autonomy, and personal choice guiding every aspect of the care plan. For many, this setting becomes a long-term home, where they are supported not only medically but emotionally and socially, helping them maintain connection, comfort, and dignity throughout their journey.

THERE HAS BEEN IMPROVEMENT ON MISSED DRUGS... IT SEEMED LIKE A BIG SPIKE AT FIRST, BUT REALLY WE FINALLY HAD THE VISIBILITY TO COUNT PROPERLY."

- An RHN representative