According to the report’s authors, pre-existing gaps and variation coupled with the short and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on an overstretched NHS and social care system have created a ‘perfect storm’ for the care of people with neurological conditions.
The report has been compiled following feedback from a range of organisations involved in neurological care, including Headway.
We provided access to our own report, The impact of lockdown on brain injury survivors and their families, which contained some hard-hitting statistics collected via a survey of brain injury survivors and their loved ones. This included more than half of respondents reporting they had lost access to rehabilitation services as a result of lockdown measures.
The report by the NNAG highlights a series of issues facing the sector including the challenges being confronted by charities such as Headway. It says: “Neurological charities and third sector organisations that provide a crucial lifeline for people and their families are facing unprecedented shortfalls to their income alongside rising demand.”
Peter McCabe, Chief Executive at Headway, said: “This report reinforces the point that much more help must be provided to brain injury survivors and charities that support them.
“Many of the issues facing brain injury survivors, such as difficulties accessing support and rehabilitation, pre-date Covid-19 but there’s no doubt that the pandemic has exacerbated the difficulties they face every day.
“We are pleased the report recognises the importance of services delivered by charities, including those provided by Headway groups and branches across the country which are tackling unprecedented challenges in the face of the pandemic.”
You can access the full NNAG report here.
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