#EqualAccessForABI

#EqualAccessForABI campaign

At Brainkind, we see everyday what neurorehabilitation can do. It transforms lives, empowers individuals, and gives people living with a brain injury the skills they need to thrive.

We believe every person affected by brain injury should have access to life changing care. But unfortunately, for thousands of people living today, this is not the case. Neurorehabilitation services are inconsistent and poorly dispersed across the country, meaning access to quality rehab is dependent on your postcode.

Where specialist care does exist, it largely caters toward severe injuries, meaning those with mild to moderate brain injuries with harder to detect symptoms are left without care.

This needs to change.

The government will be announcing their ABI strategy this autumn, and we urge them to follow through on a commitment to ending the postcode lottery of care.

What’s the issue?

Many of those with a brain injury experience cognitive, emotional and behavioural issues. These symptoms can be particularly challenging to navigate; they are often hard to detect, misunderstood by others, and can have serious consequences.

Without the skills to help manage these symptoms, survivors can face social isolation, unemployment, homelessness, and are more likely to have contact with the criminal justice system.

Neurorehabilitation addresses these cognitive, emotional and behavioural issues. Treatment can empower those with a brain injury with the knowledge and skills to manage these symptoms, increase their independence, improve their mental and physical health, and reach their full potential.

However, only a fraction of those needing this support can access it. The 2021 Time for Change estimated that of the 1.3 million people living with traumatic brain injury, only 40% receive neurorehabilitation – and this statistic is reflected across acquired brain injury more widely. Thousands are going without the life changing specialist support they need to thrive .

Over the next few months, we will be exploring the reality of this inconsistent access of care through the voices of those that use our services. Join us as we speak to people across the country about their rehab journey, and how their lives have been transformed by access to high quality services.

Our campaign will also be looking for answers. What can be done? What needs to change? How can the government meet their strategic aim, and ensure all people living with a brain injury have access to the rehabilitation they need?

‘We see the life-changing impact neurorehabilitation can have. That’s why we’re calling for #EqualAccessforABI.’