§ Mr. BerryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to ensure that rehabilitation services for those with acquired brain injury are maintained in advance of the National Service Framework provision; [56437]
(2) what plans he has to improve access to vocational rehabilitation for individuals with acquired brain injury. [56434]
§ Jacqui SmithRecently announced budget settlements for the national health service (annual average increase of 7.5 per cent. above inflation over the five years 2003–04 to 2007–08) and personal social services (PSS) (annual average increase of 6.0 per cent. above inflation over the three years 2003–04 to 2005–06), will provide the investment needed to support services which best meet patients' and users' needs.
The national service framework for long-term conditions and the clinical guideline on the initial assessment, management and first referral of patients with head injury that the National Institute for Clinical 150W Excellence is developing will help improve access to rehabilitation services for people with acquired brain injury generally.
The Government are investing in job retention and rehabilitation pilots which will evaluate the relative effectiveness of health and employment strategies in supporting people with long-term conditions to remain in or return to work.
§ Mr. BerryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 4 February 2002,Official Report, column 788W, what plans he has to assess the number of people who successfully return to work following a brain injury. [56468]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department does not plan on assessing the number of people who return to work after a head injury.
However, jobcentre plus management information systems monitor the outcomes (including job entries) of its services and programmes for disabled people including those with brain injury.
We are keen to help ensure that disabled people, including those with head injury, are able to return to work whenever possible. Currently local authorities are taking the lead on joint investment plans on the welfare to work for disabled people initiative. The idea of these plans is to provide effective and joined-up services for disabled people who want to work, to stay in work, or to move closer to the world of work.
§ Mr. BerryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Department of Work and Pensions in relation to vocational rehabilitation for individuals with acquired brain injury. [56432]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department has held no discussions with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) specifically in relation to vocational rehabilitation for individuals with acquired brain injury. However, the Department is playing an active role in agenda, working in partnership with DWP on job retention and rehabilitation pilots, health and work and joint investment plans for disabled people.