HC Deb 20 March 2003 vol 401 cc890-2W
Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will include brain injury as a classification sub-heading within the overall published statistics for accidents sustained and injuries treated in NHS hospitals in Northern Ireland. [103239]

Mr. Browne

To routinely include brain injury as a classification sub-heading could be misleading and would not necessarily meet the needs of the majority of the users of the published statistics.

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is currently working towards the production of detailed statistics to be published on the Internet. These will include tables showing the number of patients admitted to hospital by the type of injury or disease using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD10).

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the facilities funded by the Department of Health for post-acquired brain injury rehabilitation. [103240]

Mr. Browne

Information on the range of facilities is not held centrally. Provision of post-acquired brain injury rehabilitation varies widely depending on the clinical needs of the individual. It includes statutory provision and that provided by specialist voluntary sector organisations, which may also be funded by the Department.

Rev. Martin Smyth

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many acquired brain injury incidents related to road traffic accidents and other causes there were in each of the last three years, broken down by health board area; and what the survival rates were among such patients. [103241]

Mr. Browne

Details on the number of persons admitted to hospital with an acquired brain injury related to road traffic accidents and other causes by health board area are provided in the tables. Information on their survival rates is not available.

Admissions to hospital with brain injuries related to road traffic accidents and other causes 1999/200 to 2002
Board or Residence Related to Road Traffic Other causes All Brain Injuries
1999–2000
Eastern 42 176 218
Northern 27 62 89
Southern 40 98 138
Western 39 131 170
Total 148 467 615
2000–01
Eastern 36 183 219
Northern 24 93 117
Southern 33 64 97
Western 18 85 103
Total 111 425 536
2001–02
Eastern 41 179 220
Northern 27 101 128
Southern 21 77 98
Western 24 67 91
Total 113 424 537

Figures have been supplied from the Hospital Inpatients System (HIS) for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02, the latest three years for which data are available.

Brain injury has been defined as persons suffering from an intracranial injury (SO6 in the international classification of diseases ICD10).

Data are supplied by Health Board of residence.

Discharges and deaths are used as an approximation for admissions.