Speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Acquired Brain Injury, our Chief Executive Luke Griggs outlined the funding pressures on community brain injury services provided by local Headway charities as well as the impact on survivors and families.
Addressing MPs, members of the House of Lords, brain injury charities and others from the neurological sector, Luke said: “Local Headway charities provide incredible value for taxpayers’ money and are lifelines for those who rely on their expert and caring support.
“But unless something changes – quickly – this network of community brain injury charities will no longer be in place to help deliver the government’s brain injury strategy when it arrives.”
“There is still hope – but it will take the collective effort from parliamentary champions from both houses to make this happen.”
The event was attended by several local Headway charities, as well as our Parliamentary Champions including Baroness Morris, Wendy Chamberlain MP, Sir Chris Bryant MP, and Liz Twist MP.
Welcome announcements
At the event, Chair of the APPG, and Headway Parliamentary Champion, Sir John Hayes announced his success in securing a debate in parliament on acquired brain injury. This will take place in September.
He also welcomed the announcement from the Government that they will establish an ABI Action plan focusing on specific actions and deliverables for ABI against the backdrop of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan.
When Funding Fails
Our When Funding Fails report is based on a survey of local independent Headway charities who describe the struggle for survival in the face of chronic underfunding as they try to meet rising demand with shrinking resources.
Many Headway charities told of delays in assessments for new brain injury survivors, while existing clients have had their support hours cut and transport costs denied meaning they can’t attend the essential rehabilitation services they need.
Several Headway charities described cashflow problems due to local authorities not paying their invoices on time, while other charities and volunteer-led branches have since closed their doors, leaving local areas without any means of support for survivors.
After the reception, copies of the Headway report and a letter from Luke were handed into the Department for Health and Social Care to go directly to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting, as well as Minister for Public Health and Prevention Ashley Dalton.
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