Our new Service Manager at Hothfield Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre, Denise Benson, gives us an insight into her career background across a range of different services, and her future vision for Hothfield.
At Hothfield Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre in Kent we look after adults with a brain injury or other neurological condition. We’re committed to helping every person we support feel safe, happy, empowered enabling them to live the best life possible.
Can you tell us a bit about your career background and experience?
“My background is mental health nursing. I’ve been a mental health nurse for over 15 years.
“My more recent background over the last 10 years has been in managing and improving services. I’ve done this within nursing homes, dementia care homes, mental health services, learning disability services, and hospitals.
“In my last role, I managed a mental health rehabilitation service for people who had led very restrictive lifestyles for long periods of time. After this role, I joined Active Care Group.”
What is your favourite thing about working at Hothfield so far?
“My favourite thing so far is seeing the difference we make to the patients who use the service. Our patients are only at the service for a short period of time, and they make such huge improvements with the therapy team. It’s a really lovely thing to see.”
Can you give us an overview of the services that are provided at Hothfield?
“Hothfield is a brain injury and neurorehabilitation service.
“Our on-site Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) includes nursing, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology and rehabilitation assistants.
“We have a fantastic hydrotherapy pool, a fully equipped gym, and an occupational therapy kitchen — all of which support rehabilitation needs for our patients.”
What are the team like at Hothfield?
“The team are very driven by success and work hard. They thrive on maintaining the best results for the people that they care for. Hothfield is a very team focused service where everyone works together and plays a part in the excellent care that we provide.”
“Hothfield regularly receives positive feedback in regard to our therapy and nursing input with patients who have not only reached their initial goals, but who have achieved more than they expected.”
What is your vision for the service and where would you like it to be in the next few years?
“My vision for Hothfield is to continuously maintain and improve the quality of services we offer to our patients. I want to make sure we are using and moving forward with ongoing changes in technology and best practice.
“I want to ensure patients achieve the highest standard of care available to them.”
And finally, what do you like to do in your spare time?
“I have two grown up children and I’m also fortunate enough to have two young grandchildren, all of whom I love spending time with.
“I also love to travel. There’s a whole world to see out there and I’m enjoying seeing as much of it as possible!”
