QRI helpline provides support to patients following discharge from hospital

Doha: Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) has launched the first rehabilitation helpline designed to make it easier for discharged patients to access follow up rehabilitation care and services. Covering pediatric, adult, and older adult rehabilitation services, the helpline is designed to simplify the process for patients to continue with their required rehabilitation care to support their recovery after leaving hospital.

Dr Hanadi Al Hamad, Medical Director of QRI and National Lead for Healthy Ageing, explains the importance of this helpline in promoting effective continuity of care: “Every day our clinicians see patients who have experienced a physical trauma following an accident, or neurological damage following a stroke or major surgery, or they have a debilitating chronic disease that impacts their ability to function independently in the community.” “Ongoing rehabilitation therapy is an important component of the patient’s recovery journey, not only during their hospital stay but also after they have been discharged from hospital. While we provide rehabilitative care to a broad spectrum of patients, we also have a significant number of patients who struggle to find their way within the healthcare system. For instance, some of our older patients experience more challenges in accessing the right follow up care after they have been discharged. Our helpline will help address these challenges – not only will it help patients get follow up appointments for rehabilitative care but it will also enable patients aged 60 and above to get an appointment with the new Geriatric Wellness Clinic,” added Dr Al Hamad.