James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe, has praised the transformative potential of the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) following his first visit to the facility on 5 December 2024.
Hosted by key figures, including Miriam Duffy, NRC Programme Director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nick Carver, Chair of the Trust, and General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, DNRC Programme Director, Mr Naish explored the facility ahead of its opening to patients in 2025.
The NRC is set to become the UK’s first national NHS rehabilitation centre, serving the East Midlands and beyond. Managed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, the NRC will build on the Trust’s reputation for excellence, which includes hosting the East Midlands Major Trauma Centre—the busiest and most effective trauma centre in the country—as well as specialist centres in orthopaedics, spinal care, and neurosurgery.
Beyond its clinical services, the NRC aims to become a national hub for rehabilitation research and innovation. Collaborating with the University of Nottingham and Loughborough University, the centre will pioneer advancements in rehabilitation while fostering training and education initiatives to disseminate cutting-edge practices across the UK.
During his visit, Mr Naish received a comprehensive briefing on the NRC’s origins and its integration within the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate. This unique arrangement links the NRC with the established Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC Stanford Hall), enabling collaboration between NHS and Defence medicine.
Miriam Duffy, NRC Programme Director, emphasised the facility’s bold ambition: “Our ambition to shift the dial on rehabilitation with our new clinical model is bold, and the potential for the NRC is truly significant. Collaborating is key to success, and we’re grateful to James for taking the time to visit and understand more about our work.”
Mr Naish highlighted the NRC’s significance on multiple levels: “Rushcliffe has many outstanding places, but the NRC is right up there in terms of local, national, and international importance. It was great to see the building and speak to the teams involved, and to hear their determination to build a fantastic facility.”
Reflecting on broader healthcare goals, he added: “The new Labour government is committed to building an NHS fit for the future, announcing over £22bn of investment in the recent budget while developing a 10-year plan to transition from analogue to digital healthcare, centred in communities. Centres like the NRC will lead the way in this endeavour, using the latest medical technology to support rehabilitation patients.”
• Cutting-edge technology trialled at NUH to improve rehabilitation experience for patients
With the building nearing completion, the NRC stands as a symbol of cutting-edge healthcare and collaboration. Its role in linking NHS and Defence expertise and its commitment to innovation will redefine rehabilitation in the UK, benefiting patients not only in the East Midlands but across the nation.
As the countdown to the NRC’s opening continues, it is clear that this facility will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare, placing Rushcliffe at the forefront of global medical innovation.
• Pictures: First look inside National Rehabilitation Centre as construction moves at pace
