The pledge was in a response to a question raised in Prime Minister’s Questions in Parliament by Chris Bryant MP, who is bringing forward the Private Member’s Bill.
The Bill, which will have its second reading in the House of Commons on 3 December 2021, aims to commit the government to prepare and publish a strategy document designed to meet the needs of people living with ABI.
Having been asked by Mr Bryant to give an assurance that the government will back the Bill, the Prime Minister addressed the House by saying: “I can assure him we are studying his proposed Bill and working to ensure that people do get support for the acquired brain injuries that they have received.
“What we can certainly pledge at this stage – and I hope this will be of some use to him and the many that care about this issue in the way that he does, and I’m sure members do across the House – the Department of Health will lead on the development of a cross-departmental government strategy on acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions.”
Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway, recently joined Chris Bryant and other campaigners at Downing Street to present the Prime Minister with a letter urging him to support the Bill.
“The Prime Minister’s commitment to addressing the needs of people affected by brain injury is encouraging,” said Peter.
“We are pleased to hear that the Department of Health and Social Care will be leading on the development of a strategy and the acknowledgement that this must involve all departments of government.
“Huge credit must go to Chris Bryant MP for his commitment and dedication to representing the needs of brain injury survivors and carers and leading the fight in Parliament for improvements to be made to the support available to them.
“We welcome the Prime Minister’s comments, but we cannot be complacent. It is vital that we now redouble our efforts to ensure that this Bill is passed.
“If you haven’t already done so, please contact your MP today to encourage them to back the Bill.”
Back the ABI Bill
You can find further details of the Bill here.
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