§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) information, (b) support and (c) services are available to (i) people with brain injury, (ii) their families and (iii) carers. [74422]
§ Jacqui SmithPatients with brain injury, their families and carers are able to access the full range of National Health Service services for head injured people. The information, support and services an individual receives will depend on the extent and severity of the brain injury they have incurred.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently developing guidelines for patients and clinicians on early management of head injury. The guidelines are scheduled for publication around March 2003. These guidelines, together with the forthcoming national service framework for long term conditions, will help ensure that health and social care services work together to provide the right level of treatment and care for people with brain injury.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions the Department has had with charities and the voluntary sector to provide and improve the quality of support, activities and facilities for people with brain injury. [74423]
§ Jacqui SmithI am meeting hon. Members and the Chief Executive of Headway on October 22. Officials have had discussions with both Headway and United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum recently and will meet the Chief Executive of Rehab UK on 16 October to discuss the key issues which they consider should be addressed in the long term conditions national service framework which will have a particular focus on treatment and care for people with brain injury. Those discussions will cover the quality of support. activities and facilities for people with brain injury.
Headway and Rehab UK are currently receiving Section 64 funding for projects that will help patients with brain injury.