Government consultation launched to help improve care for people with acquired brain injuries

The government is inviting people whose lives have been affected by acquired brain injuries (ABI) as well as their families, healthcare professionals and charities to give ideas on how to improve care and treatment, as part of a new cross government strategy.

ABI can be caused by traumas such as road traffic accidents, assaults and falls, or by medical issues like tumours or diseases, such as meningitis. The Department of Health and Social Care is asking people to come forward with their views on how to ensure a better quality of life for those who have experienced brain damage after birth.

A new programme board, jointly chaired by Minister for Care and Mental Health Gillian Keegan and Labour MP Chris Bryant MP, will look to publish a new strategy to reduce the amount of injuries sustained whilst also improving the experiences of those with acquired brain injuries.

Minister for Care and Mental Health Gillian Keegan said: “It is absolutely essential people living with acquired brain injury get the best possible care and treatment and that we take steps to prevent these injuries wherever possible.

“Together the cross-government programme board and the call for evidence will allow us to deliver a strategy to address issues that matter most to those with acquired brain injuries and other neurological conditions.”

'We need people with lived experience of brain injury to participate'

The request for engagement survey is going out to those with ABI, their families, healthcare professionals and charities over the next 12 weeks.

It will provide an opportunity to hear first-hand from the people most affected to help find out what services are needed, where there may be gaps, and how the government can support services to help fill these.

MP for Rhondda, and joint chair of the programme board, Chris Bryant, said: “I’m delighted that the government is starting to pull together a cross government strategy on acquired brain injury.

“We need people to come forward with ideas and suggestions based on their experience of brain injury as practitioners, patients or family members so we can get this strategy right.

“I urge everyone to take part if they think they have an insight to offer.”

The Department of Health and Social Care would also like to hear whether you think support or services for people living with an acquired brain injury could also improve support for people living with other neurological conditions.

Chloe Hayward, executive director of the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum, said: “We are very pleased the government is giving acquired brain injury the attention it deserves with the ABI Strategy.

“The call for evidence will help the panel to focus and prioritise their efforts, so we need people with lived experience of brain injury – whether, survivors, carers or professionals – to participate. This will ensure the panel has the best available information to develop their strategy.”

To take part in the call for evidence, go to https://consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/62222c750b1ca136807bca20

The call for evidence closes at 11:45pm on 6 June 2022.