PROVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY

Early day motion 318, tabled 29 October 2001 by Roger Berry (Labour). Signed by 84 members.

That this House welcomes the Government's commitment to extending rehabilitation services and helping disabled people who want to go back into work; considers that successful support and vocational programmes, such as those run by Headway, or the brain injury association and Rehab UK play a vital part in helping people who are living with an acquired brain injury back to work, thereby increasing their social independence, their quality of life and making long term savings to the Exchequer; is therefore concerned that there is little understanding of the needs of people with acquired brain injury; believes there must be widespread recognition and education on the planning for and treatment of individuals living with an acquired brain injury (similar to those leaving hospital with physical disabilities), including the adoption of a separate user category by social services departments; further believes that there must be improved co-ordination and communication between local agencies and Government departments; and urges the Government to implement a national education and training programme for NHS and social care staff, and to undertake a review of the provision of acquired brain injury rehabilitation services within the UK with a view to introducing national funding strategy.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Liberal Democrat 18, Labour/Co-operative 5, Conservative 4, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.