Lancaster University researchers are driving forward a project to improve online support for stroke and neurology patients across the region.

The NeuroRehabilitation OnLine (NROL) team, based at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), has been awarded a new 12-month grant to expand its work delivering digital neurological rehabilitation, after continuing to demonstrate significant improvements in patient outcomes.

NROL was originally developed during the pandemic, by brain injury charity SameYou, in partnership with University College Hospital London. It delivers cognitive, communication and physical therapy via video calls and was subsequently rolled out across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

New funding from a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Healthcare competition will now support the expansion of the NROL model across Cheshire and Merseyside and help improve the digital platform for patients while enabling more people to benefit from the service.

Lancaster University academics will provide oversight and evaluation to ensure the programme benefits patients, staff, carers and the wider healthcare network.

Louise Connell, Professor of Allied Health Rehabilitation at Lancaster University and ELHT, said: “This project is a vital step in strengthening the future of stroke and neurological services and expanding access to high-quality rehabilitation.

“Clinical academics play a crucial role in bridging research and practice, to ensure innovative rehabilitation models like NROL are evidence-based, feasible and sustainable.

“With joint roles between the NHS and Lancaster University, our work on this project is focused on generating robust evidence to support implementation while ensuring telerehabilitation is embedded within routine care.”

NROL has been highly successful, with stroke survivors reporting improved physical recovery and wellbeing. Many patients value the ability to access therapy from the comfort of their home, as well as the expert advice provided.

The funding will enable enhanced collaboration between clinicians, health leaders from Lancashire and South Cumbria, Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Systems, Lancaster University, technology partners ELAROs, SameYou and Health Innovation North West Coast. The SBRI competition was launched in July 2024 and open to organisations involved in innovative projects which support early diagnosis, rehabilitation and life after stroke.

Adam Partington, NROL Project Lead at ELHT, added: "NROL has been a joy to be involved in, from being a therapist delivering online sessions to now leading the service. This funding will allow us to continue our great work, improving access to therapy for patients. I hear countless stories about the positive impact NROL has had on patient recovery and it’s incredibly rewarding to witness their progress. We are thrilled to collaborate with such a dedicated group of partners who share our goal of improving patient care.”

Jenny Clarke MBE, CEO of SameYou, said: “NROL has yielded remarkable outcomes. We are absolutely delighted to see it awarded funding, which highlights the critical need for additional support.”

NROL has also been recommended and supported in the recent Stroke Association: 10-Year Health Plan, further solidifying its value in the national rehabilitation landscape.

For more information on the SBRI funding and the projects it supports, click here.