§ Mr. BerryTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what plans he has to assess the availability of vocational rehabilitation services for people who sustain a head injury; [56435]
(2) what recent meetings have taken place within his Department on the provision of brain injury rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement. [56436]
§ Maria EagleRegular assessments are carried out of the availability of vocational rehabilitation services, including those for people who sustain head injuries. The services which are now in place, and delivered under contract through the Department's Work Preparation Programme, meet current and expected demand within the catchment area of individual providers.
Ministers and officials have regular meetings with colleagues across Government to discuss rehabilitation, including services for people with acquired brain injury. A meeting was held with Ministerial colleagues from the Department of Health on 15 April to discuss a range of issues concerning health and rehabilitation. The Department is working jointly with a number of other Departments, including the Department of Health, to ensure that what is in place fully contributes towards our objective of helping as many as possible of those not working following injury or ill-health to make a prompt return to work.