Virtual Reality in Healthcare: Reneural Partners with The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Brunel University of London to Transform Stroke Rehabilitation with Innovative Digital Health Initiative
[London, 25/03/2025] – Reneural, in collaboration with The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Brunel University of London, has been awarded funding through the New Hospital Programme by NHS England to further develop a digital health solution for stroke rehabilitation.
This project will establish a clinician dashboard that enables physiotherapists and occupational therapists to remotely interact with patients, treat them, and monitor stroke rehabilitation. Reneural’s virtual reality rehabilitation system aims to enhance therapy efficiency and improve accessibility for stroke survivors, particularly those facing upper-limb mobility challenges.
Advancing Stroke Rehabilitation Through Innovation
The project seeks to support stroke rehabilitation by:
- Enhancing patient-therapist interaction: Personalising therapy to improve patient outcomes.
- Promoting sustainability: Reducing the carbon footprint by minimising travel to rehabilitation facilities.
- Improving treatment accessibility: Using remote therapy to improve healthcare accessibility.
Once the design and development are complete, if the digital health solution is adopted, the project will benefit both hospital-based and community therapy teams, including the Stroke Early Supported Discharge (ESD) team at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, ensuring seamless continuity of care.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
This collaboration brings together leading experts across healthcare and academia:
- The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Debbie Neilsen, Dr. Basaam Aweid, Vicky Stewart
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust: Sneha Vobilisetty
- Reneural: Victor Harabari (CEO), Heraldas Gaspariunas (COO)
- Brunel University London: Dr. Gabriella Spinelli, Dr. David Bell, and Prof. Cherry Kilbride
Victor Harabari, CEO of Reneural, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating:
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in our mission to transform neurorehabilitation. By combining our expertise with that of Hillingdon Hospitals and Brunel University of London, we are excited to develop innovative solutions that aligns with NHS long term plan and enhance patient care.”
National Recognition and Commitment to Innovation
The New Hospitals Programme received 69 submissions, of which only 13 projects were selected for funding—this project among them. This selection underscores the significance of leveraging emerging technologies in stroke rehabilitation to create a more efficient and patient-centred healthcare system, bringing the hospital to the patients.
For new hospital projects, initiatives that reduce hospital footfall by shifting more care to home settings improve both the sustainability of new-build hospitals and the overall patient experience.
About Reneural
Reneural® is an innovative neurotech company addressing the critical needs of stroke survivors by offering a comprehensive Neurorehabilitation platform that integrates cutting-edge technologies including virtual reality (VR), robotics, electromyography (EMG), and functional electrical stimulation (FES). The platform is designed to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and ease the burden on clinicians by supporting remote care. Formerly known as CardioCrown, Reneural® is dedicated to closing the gap in continuous rehabilitation, with a focus on physical, visual, cognitive, and mental health therapies in a single, cohesive platform, ensuring personalised long-term care. To learn more about what we do, visit reneural.tech
