The Right To Rehab campaign is calling for universal access to effective rehab across the UK. Because we believe that quality of life shouldn't depend on your postcode.
Community rehabilitation provision is a postcode lottery, with people in many areas of the country unable to access the rehabilitation they need. Not everyone can afford private treatment. Those who slip through the gaps risk declining physical and mental health, sometimes to the point of no return.
Without the rehabilitation they need, many will return to their GPs or A&E, with increased care needs. They may struggle to return to work or lead fulfilling lives.
This bleak picture falls far short of the NHS Constitution pledge to provide a comprehensive health care system.
As long as community rehabilitation is unavailable in certain areas, then the system is neither comprehensive nor universal. It is one that fuels health inequalities.
The Right To Rehab campaign believes that rehabilitation should be accessible to everyone who needs it for as long as they need it. For people with long-term conditions, it enhances their quality of life. For those recovering from illness or injury, it helps them rebuild.
As rehabilitation gives people quality of life, not just survival, we are pushing for it to be given the same priority as medicines and surgery.
If you want to join the Right To Rehab campaign, sign up as a Rehab Champion here. And we'll be in touch with actions you can take part in.
Governments must deliver
We are holding governments to their commitments set out in the NHS Long Term Plan for England, 'A Healthier Wales', ‘A Health and Care Delivery Plan in Scotland’ and the ‘Transformation Programme in Northern Ireland’.
Across the UK, governments have made commitments to rehabilitation and recovery services. But whether it’s the NHS Long Term Plan in England, the Welsh Government’s roadmap to reduce waiting lists post-covid or the Scottish Government’s ‘Once for Scotland’ approach to rehabilitation we know our work cannot stop there if the potential of these commitments is to be realised.
We know that there are barriers to overcome if everyone is to have equitable access to high-quality, person-centred rehabilitation and recovery services.
What’s more, the pandemic has made this situation even worse, with many services having to refocus efforts on dealing with a surge in covid patients.
The production of community rehabilitation best practice standards, the drive for increased staffing and funding as well as work promoting the importance of data and tackling health inequities all form parts of this wider transformation ambition.
We want to ensure that policy commitments and new resources are translated into effective action. We know that delivering these changes will take sustained and collective commitment. Together we can make that change happen.
