Answers to some of our frequently asked questions.
What is Brainbow?
Brainbow is a partnership between three independent charities – Anna’s Hope, Joshua Tarrant Trust and Tom’s Trust, working with Addenbrooke’s Hospital – to fund and provide a pioneering rehabilitation service in the East of England for children with brain tumours.
What does the Brainbow service provide?
The Brainbow service provides co-ordinated specialist neuro-rehabilitation (physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and clinical psychology) assessment and some treatment for children with brain tumours. From September 2017, the service welcomed a Specialist Teacher into the team to work with team to liaise between hospital teams, patient families and education providers, to support the children and young people through rehabilitation and schooling.
How long has the Brainbow service been available for patients?
The official launch of the Brainbow partnership took place on 10 September 2013.
Since October 2013, the Brainbow service has been available for all children newly-diagnosed with brain tumours in the East of England.
The Brainbow service team are also reviewing the clinical needs of all children currently under the care of Addenbrooke’s for brain tumours. If clinically appropriate, families/carers will be approached and offered access to the service.
Who is the Brainbow service for?
The Brainbow service is currently for children under 16 in the East of England with brain tumours.
What are the expected benefits of the new Brainbow service?
Children with brain tumours and their families/carers will benefit from a more co-ordinated approach to rehabilitation assessment and therapy.
Each child’s rehabilitation needs will be assessed in a standard way. The specialist Brainbow service team will tailor and co-ordinate each child’s ongoing rehabilitation, both at Addenbrooke’s and in their local area i.e. closer to home.
The Brainbow service team will work with therapists across the East of England to share their learning and to help to improve the overall co-ordination of rehabilitation services throughout the region.
We hope to demonstrate benefits of co-ordinated rehabilitation in terms of improved outcomes for children with brain tumours.
Does the Brainbow service replace existing rehabilitation teams and arrangements?
No. The Brainbow aim is to work with existing therapists such as the Adam Rogers Team and local teams to enhance the overall rehabilitation service provided to patients and families/carers.
Where is Brainbow based?
The Brainbow service team are based in the Paediatric Day Unit (PDU) at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. The team also hold clinics in the Child Development Centre on the Addenbrooke’s Hospital site.
How can you find out more?
You may be contacted directly by a member of the Brainbow service team and invited to access the service.
Please do not hesitate to email the Brainbow service team with any queries or concerns that you have via email
We will ensure that your email is answered within 3 working days and/or that a member of the clinical team whom you already know contacts you.