Headway provides crucial help, advocacy, and information services to brain injury survivors and their families. Its ‘Budget for Brain Injury’ campaign urges the Chancellor to allocate funds in the Spring Budget to ensure survivors continue to have access to community-based rehabilitation services they rely on. As well as requesting the government financially supports the delivery of the cross-departmental strategy for acquired brain injury being drawn up by the Department for Health and Social Care.
The government formally announced plans to create the ABI Strategy in 2021 to meet the needs of those living with ABIs, following a campaign by Sir Chris Bryant MP. Luke Griggs, CEO of Headway - the brain injury association, has written an open letter to the Chancellor expressing concern that there are no plans to assign funding to the delivery of the ABI strategy.
The letter reads:
“Dear Chancellor,
Every 90 seconds, someone is admitted to hospital with an acquired brain injury (ABI). That’s why Headway – the brain injury association, has welcomed the government’s commitment to creating a strategy designed to improve the lives of those living with ABI.
My colleagues and I meet regularly with officials from the Department of Health and Social Care to support the development of the strategy that we hope will deliver real change for the vulnerable survivors and families that we support.
We are concerned, however, that the planned launch of the ABI strategy could coincide with the closure of local Headway charities across the country that are currently facing financial crises.
Not only would the closure of these organisations be harmful to the wellbeing of vulnerable survivors and their families, but would lead to individuals seeking more costly state-funded support elsewhere.
Further, it would mean that specialist services would no longer exist in our communities to deliver the government’s ABI strategy once it is published.
As we understand it, there are no plans to assign funding to the delivery of the ABI strategy or to financially support these specialist community-based rehabilitation services.
That is why we are asking you to use your position as Chancellor to ensure that people living with acquired brain injury continue to receive the services they desperately need.
Please support brain injury survivors and their families by allocating funds for ABI in the upcoming Spring Budget.”
As well as writing to the Chancellor, Headway is urging the public to support its Budget for Brain Injury campaign.
Sarah Russell, Headway’s Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, explained: “The Government’s ABI Strategy aims to improve the lives of people living with acquired brain injury, but we are concerned that specialist community-based rehabilitation services may cease to exist in our communities to deliver the strategy if help isn’t forthcoming soon.
“Every 90 seconds, someone is admitted to hospital with an acquired brain injury, and they need access to good quality services to rebuild their lives after brain injury. That’s why we’re asking the Chancellor to support people living with ABI in the upcoming Spring Budget.
“Please take a moment to support our campaign and sign the open letter."Back
