Trust welcomes new Professor to support Neurological Rehabilitation Service
South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust has recently appointed Dr Diane Playford as Professor of Rehabilitation.
Following medical training, Dr Playford went on to do research in neurology, with her research focusing on rehabilitation processes, interventions and service evaluations. Her knowledge and experience will benefit patients and staff at the Trust’s specialist neuro-rehabilitation service which is based at the Central England Rehabilitation Unit (CERU).
CERU is a 42 bedded unit that provides highly specialist care for young adults with neurological conditions caused by acquired brain injuries. It is a national centre of excellence based at Leamington Spa Hospital which has been established for over 20 years and is the largest level 1 accredited facility available.
As part of the role at CERU, Dr Playford will also be undertaking an academic placement at Warwick University. Diane’s research focusses on interventions to support people with neurological disability. She has run research programmes on vocational rehabilitation and in goal setting both of which have resulted in changes in clinical practice.
Dr Diane Playford said: “I am delighted to start this role. I hope to establish a research programme to evaluate different approaches to the rehabilitation of people with brain injury, ranging from mild injuries managed in the community to profound injury resulting in permanent disability.”
Glen Burley, Chief Executive of South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust said: “Diane joining our team at CERU is fantastic. Her extensive experience within this field is going to be extremely beneficial. CERU is already a national centre of excellence, but I am delighted that through this post we will be able to contribute more to international research and development in the field of complex rehabilitation.”
Sudhesh Kumar, Dean of Medicine, Warwick Medical School said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Diane to Warwick Medical School. Her knowledge and expertise will be a great asset to our research efforts and for medical education.”
