Headway has welcomed the publication of a document detailing an optimal care pathway for adults affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI).
This optimal clinical pathway sets out the services, experiences and outcomes associated with good treatment, care and support.
The pathway was designed by a working group of TBI specialist healthcare professionals in consultation with brain injury survivors and the Neurological Alliance, the development of the pathway was overseen by the National Neurosciences Advisory Group (NNAG).
The hope is that the pathway will be used by service providers and commissioners to review current practice against best practice care from acute rehabilitation through to access to specialist community-based support and reablement programmes provided by Headway groups across the UK.
The document makes some important recommendations including the standardised introduction of specialist interdisciplinary TBI Teams based in major trauma centres and led by a brain injury consultant.
This means the co-ordinated involvement of numerous healthcare specialists including neurosurgeons, neurologists, rehabilitation medicine physicians, neuropsychiatrists, neuropsychologists, specialist nurses and specialist TBI allied health professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians and speech and language therapists.
“These common-sense proposals are a helpful and timely intervention, and we are grateful to the NNAG for its work,”
said Luke Griggs, Chief Executive of Headway UK.
“The economic case for investing in neurological rehabilitation has already been made. It is clear that giving people access to specialist support throughout the care pathway significantly increases their chances of making a meaningful recovery, with cost savings to the public purse made through better and faster functional improvements.
“This includes helping people to rebuild their lives through the ongoing support of Headway groups and branches in their communities.
“We have repeatedly championed this concept, including the need for the government investment necessary to improve the infrastructure required to implement such a pathway.
“Everyone impacted by brain injury, whether through trauma or indeed any form of ABI, deserves to have their rehabilitation needs clearly established and supported.
“This document complements the submissions of Headway and many others to the ABI Strategy, and we urge the government to implement the proposals put forward.”
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