In 1944 Dr Ludwig Guttman opened the first centre for specialist care for patients with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire.
Dr Guttman introduced a new approach to the way paralysed patients were treated. Sport was incorporated into the rehabilitation of patient and Dr Guttman was the founder of what is currently the Paralympics.
The Golden Jubilee Regional Spinal Cord Injuries Centre (SCIC) was opened in 2002 and is a purpose built building located on the site of The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
Both acute care and rehabiliation for SCI patients are all located at the centre. The SCIC is one of eight specialist centres within England, and 11 within the UK, and its aim is to provide and enable the lifelong care and empowerment of patients with SCI.
