The government have put out a call for evidence to people who have been affected by an acquired brain injury (ABI).
They are being invited to share their experiences and information on how best to improve the care and support that is made available to patients.
Included in people will be eligible are those who have acquired brain injuries through car crashes, assaults, falls, tumors or meningitis.
Over the next 12 weeks, requests for engagement will be put out to people with ABI, their families and healthcare professionals.
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.”
A new programme board will publish a new strategy which will look to improve and reduce the amount of injuries sustained.
The board will be jointly chaired by Gillian Keegan, Minister for Care and Mental Health and Labour MP Chris Bryant.
Chris Bryant MP, 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 ABI strategy comes after the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport published its action plan for tackling concussion in sport to help reduce the risks of head injuries.
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.”
