The announcement was made by Gillian Keegan, Minister of State for Care and Mental Health, in a written statement published on 2 December. It comes just a day before the scheduled second reading of Chris Bryant MP’s Private Members’ Bill on acquired brain injury.
Work on the strategy will commence in the new year with a Call for Evidence, with stakeholders including charities such as Headway, people living with brain injury, their families and carers, and healthcare professionals invited to share their views about what should be prioritised in the strategy.
👏👏 Govt has just announced it will
— Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) December 2, 2021
💡draft a strategy on Acquired Brain Injury
💡set up a ABI programme board
💡which will be co-chaired by @GillianKeegan and me
💡and will call for evidence very soon.
So my ABI Bill won’t be needed.
Many thanks to all who’ve helped! pic.twitter.com/mx4GzFaWEF
The development of the strategy will be overseen by a Programme Board, co-chaired by Gillian Keegan and Chris Bryant.
"I am delighted we've won the campaign for a cross-departmental strategy for acquired brain injury today,” said Chris.
“The Government has announced it will be creating a Panel Board in the New Year with officials from several departments to start devising a whole-Government strategy on ABI.
“In other words, the Government is doing precisely what my Acquired Brain Injury Private Members' Bill is calling for.
“A huge thank you to all the acquired brain injury charities, MPs and other campaigners who have been supporting my Bill and the campaign.
“Today is a victory for everyone with an acquired brain injury.”
Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway, said: “This is very good news and provides an excellent opportunity to finally have the needs of brain injury survivors and carers addressed by government.
“For too long, those needs have not been met due to inconsistencies in care and rehabilitation across the UK, and differing approaches from government departments.
“Our sincere thanks and congratulations go to Chris Bryant, Sir John Hayes MP, and their colleagues on the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Acquired Brain Injury for their outstanding efforts in making this happen.
“Acquired brain injury shares many similarities with other neurological conditions, but it requires specialist rehabilitation and social support strategies. That’s why a unique strategy for ABI is essential.
“We look forward to engaging with Headway service users, families and carers to support the Programme Board in developing this strategy.”Back
