Founders’ day marked by celebrations at the National Spinal Injuries Centre

Members of Psychology team in the NSIC foyer on Founders Day 2018.

On Thursday 1st February 2018 a day of celebrations took place at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

The National Spinal Injuries Centre was founded on Tuesday 1st February 1944. To mark the occasion in 2018 a display of information boards was arranged in the NSIC foyer celebrating the early service, current provision and developments for the future such as the innovative upper limb research studio and the completion of Horatio’s garden.

The event also included a cake stall, which raised £225 for the charity Wheelpower, displays from other associated charities and a screening of ‘The Best of Men‘, a TV drama about the work of Sir Ludwig Guttmann who founded the NSIC and the Paralympics.

A celebratory lunch was followed in the afternoon by long service awards for NSIC staff working in administration, medical, allied health professionals, clinical psychology and research roles.

Those receiving awards represented 681 years of service between them, with Dot Tussler, Head of NSIC physiotherapy receiving a special commendation presented by Angela Brooke, Trust Head of Allied Health.

The awards ceremony followed on from the successful NSIC long service nursing awards in May 2017. Plans for next year’s celebrations are already underway.

Commenting on the day, Dr Jane Duff, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and NSIC Head of Clinical Psychology said: ‘It was wonderful to see so many staff, patients, families and visitors taking such an interest in our services.

The NSIC provides 30% of the spinal cord injury beds in England and is recognised throughout the world for the care we provide. We are extremely proud to work here and continue Guttmann’s legacy, proud of our whole team and of the work we do.‘