MPs want help for brain injury victims

MPs are calling for the government to work more closely with the
voluntary sector to review service provision for people with
acquired brain injury, following concerns over the adequacy of
services.

An all-party poll of 96 MPs, released this week and carried out for
brain injury charity Rehab UK, found that 85 per cent believe there
is a lack of services for this group. And 84 per cent believe that
the government should underpin funding for rehabilitation services
where it would lead to a long-term saving to the Treasury.

The poll follows concerns raised by a House of Commons health
committee report, published last year, which revealed that head
injury is the biggest cause of death and disability in the young.
More than 100,000 people suffer brain damage each year.

Rehab UK is calling for extra training for social services
professionals and those working within the NHS to improve the
planning and treatment for those with acquired brain injury.

Chief executive of Rehab UK Reg Prole said: “Failing to meet the
challenge this situation has created is not only costing the
country £250m each year in benefits payments but is leading to
empty, wasted lives.”