The unit has 20 inpatient beds, two of which can be accessed for GP patients.
The majority of patients require comprehensive rehabilitation following a stroke or other neurological condition.
Patients are also admitted who require rehabilitation following an acute illness, falls or general/orthopaedic surgery.
Patients may also be admitted for palliative care.
Dr Tilak Jayasuriya is the consultant responsible for the rehabilitation patients. Medical cover for any GP patients is provided by Mayford House and Mowbray House doctors surgeries.
The unit has a committed multi-disciplinary team, with occupational therapists and physiotherapists based on the ward working alongside the nursing staff. In addition the dietician, neuropsychologist and speech and language therapists all provide the unit with regular rehabilitation sessions.
The Rutson offers a clinically appropriate setting for step up patients from the community and step down patients from acute hospital settings. It has one palliative care bed.
Please note, despite the name, this service operates from the Friarage and not the old Ruston Hospital.
What do we provide?
- Assessment and treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Intermediate care
- Non acute medical care
- Palliative care
- 24-hour nursing care
- Timely and appropriate discharge to a principal domicile or an acute hospital bed if necessary
Where are we based?
The Rutson Rehabilitation Unit is based at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton
When are we available?
The Rehabilitation Unit is a 24-hour service with physiotherapy and occupational therapy input available Monday to Friday between 8am and 4.30pm.
How to refer?
Patients should be referred to the unit using a community hospital referral form available from the unit. Local GPs or the consultant in rehabilitation medicine need to agree medical responsibility for the patient prior to admission or transfer to the unit.