HC Deb 16 January 2003 vol 397 cc805-6W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to provide support for(a) those with a traumatic brain injury, (b) their families and (c) carers in North Staffordshire; [90241]

(2) what facilities are in place in North Staffordshire to provide effective rehabilitation for those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury; [90242]

(3) what steps he is taking to improve care for those who suffer from traumatic head injuries in North Staffordshire. [90243]

Mr. Lammy

Local commissioners are responsible for providing appropriate healthcare for their local communities, including the provision of brain injury services.

The neuropsychiatry rehabilitation unit at the Haywood Hospital, part of North Staffordshire Hospital National Health Service Trust, provides care for people with some form of brain trauma, requiring supervision, assessment, treatment or rehabilitation. The unit also provides help with emotional or behavioural difficulties relating to brain trauma and has an associated community service.

The neuropsychiatry unit at the Harplands Hospital caters for people with acute neuro-psychiatric problems following brain injury. Users of that facility are likely to require closer supervision or observation initially and may be detained under the Mental Health Act.

A West Midlands regional group made up of service commissioners, including senior clinicians and managers, has been established to look at ways of improving the provision of neurosurgery across the West Midlands, including the North Staffordshire area.