The UK’s first National Rehabilitation Centre has entered into a new partnership with wellbeing company Movementum Natural Health Systems to develop extended support programmes for patients after they leave hospital, in a move aimed at improving long-term recovery outcomes and reducing readmissions.
The collaboration will see the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), a 70-bed specialist NHS facility operated by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, work with Movementum to explore the creation of structured post-treatment services lasting up to three years.
Located in Nottinghamshire, the NRC is designed to provide state-of-the-art rehabilitation for patients recovering from life-changing illnesses or injuries. While NHS rehabilitation typically continues through outpatient services, the new partnership is intended to complement existing provision with additional lifestyle, fitness and wellbeing support.
Central to the plans is the proposed development of a “Movementum Hub” within the centre. This hub would offer ongoing programmes to help patients maintain physical activity, adhere to rehabilitation plans and adjust to life back at home or in their communities. Families would also be included in the support framework.
Miriam Duffy, Director of the NRC, said the initiative reflects growing recognition that rehabilitation extends far beyond discharge from hospital.
“Here at the NRC, our patients will be receiving the very best and cutting-edge rehabilitation available in the NHS.
“However, a patient’s rehabilitation journey doesn’t stop when they leave the NRC. By partnering with Movementum, in addition to the normal outpatient NHS provision our patients will receive, this allows us to explore what enhanced support we can offer our patients and their families.
“We hope that this will enable us to support our patients from immediate post-rehabilitation through to maintaining long-term lifestyle changes, aiming to prevent complications and readmissions in their life-long rehabilitation journey.”
Movementum Natural Health Systems, a wellbeing company focused on integrating sports science with healthcare, said the partnership represents a shift towards combining clinical rehabilitation with preventative health approaches. The company works with professionals from sport, exercise science and fitness backgrounds to support recovery and long-term health.
Founder Stephen Price described the partnership as a significant step in evolving rehabilitation models in the UK.
“This collaboration marks a revolutionary step towards transforming national wellbeing.
“We are bridging the critical gap between acute clinical care and long-term health, ensuring patients don’t just recover, but thrive for years after leaving the centre.
“By combining performance technology and methodologies with a new generation of ‘Movement Health Professionals’, we can support not just patients and their families, but also clinicians and the wider community, including local schools.”
A key element of the initiative is the creation of a new “Movement Health Professional” role based at the NRC. The positions are intended for people under the age of 25 with backgrounds in sports and exercise medicine, sports science, or health and fitness. The aim is to create a workforce focused on supporting patients beyond clinical treatment, while also generating employment opportunities in the region.
The roles are designed to complement medical teams by focusing on movement, lifestyle and wellbeing, helping individuals transition from hospital-based rehabilitation into sustainable long-term health routines.
In addition to patient-focused programmes, the partnership is also exploring services to support NHS staff wellbeing. These initiatives could include programmes to improve physical and mental health, strengthen workplace morale and reduce burnout among healthcare workers.
Movementum also plans to extend its work into the education sector. As part of the collaboration, its professionals intend to deliver programmes in selected schools identified as having the greatest need for social impact, aiming to promote fitness and wellbeing awareness among children and teachers.
The NRC itself represents a major investment in rehabilitation services in England and is intended to serve patients nationally. Specialist centres such as the NRC are seen as increasingly important as advances in emergency and acute medicine mean more people survive serious injury and illness but require long-term rehabilitation.
Healthcare leaders have emphasised that improving recovery outcomes depends not only on clinical treatment but also on sustained physical activity, behavioural change and community support after discharge.
The partnership with Movementum reflects wider efforts across the NHS to integrate clinical care with preventative health and wellbeing services, amid ongoing pressure on hospital capacity and resources.
If implemented as planned, the Movementum Hub and associated roles could form part of a new model for rehabilitation, combining traditional NHS treatment with extended lifestyle and community-based support designed to help patients maintain independence and quality of life over the long term.
“Friendly zombie fanatic. Analyst. Coffee buff. Professional music specialist. Communicator.”
