Introduction Rehabilitation is a continuum of diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive interventions directed to disabled persons with the goals of limiting and avoiding disability and handicap, improving the quality of life and independence, and developing psychosocial and vocational potentials. The first phase of rehabilitation begins during the acute stage of disease or once the diagnosis of a hereditary or chronic condition has been established. The second phase of rehabilitation is concerned with the disabilities that have resulted from the acute phase of disease. Both hospitals and external rehabilitation facilities are involved in this phase. The interventions required during the third phase (stabilized disability) are less systematic and so may be delivered on an outpatient basis. The goals of the third phase are to maintain the level of functional independence achieved during the earlier phases of rehabilitation and to prevent possible complications. At the local level, it is essential to adopt an integrated model of health care and social support in order to co-ordinate health care programmes designed to develop patients