Researchers at the National Spinal Injuries Centre (NSIC) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, are recruiting for virtual focus groups to find out more about rehabilitation services and outcomes after spinal cord injury.

The focus group is part of an international research study that aims to expand knowledge about the experiences and outcomes of people living with spinal cord injuries, and how they are related to the length and intensity of rehabilitation services across countries based on findings from research. The purpose of the focus groups are to learn how rehabilitation experiences and outcomes are related to rehabilitation length of stay across different countries.  

Because of the international study design, we are only able to recruit for the research people with spinal cord injuries or support partners who have been admitted for rehabilitation to one of the eight NHS England funded Spinal Injury Centres:

• National Spinal Injuries Centre (Stoke Mandeville Hospital)
• Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (Stanmore, London) 
• Salisbury Hospital (Odstock)
• Pinderfields Hospital (Wakefield, Mid Yorks)
• Northern General Hospital (Sheffield)
• Southport and Formby District General Hospital (Merseyside) 
• Robert and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (Oswestry)
• The James Cook University Hospital (Middlesbrough, South Tees Hospitals)

To participate in this study, you must be aged 18 or above and be some with a spinal cord injury or have supported someone during their rehabilitation and be at least one-year post-discharge from one of the above spinal cord injury centres.

Participants who are selected to attend a focus group will receive a £20 amazon voucher for their time.

If you are interested in being involved in the study, you can contact the NSIC research team at [email protected] or find them on X/Twitter @NSICpsychology or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/nsic-psychology. Alternatively, you can reach them by phone on 01296 383 355.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Jane Duff, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, NSIC.
HRA Ethical approval reference number: 24/WA/0205

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