McGimpsey announces consultation on action plan to improve acquired brain injury services

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, today announced a consultation on a three year action plan to develop services for people with acquired brain injury.

The action plan is focused on improving care and support services for patients, their families and carers. Key elements of the plan include:

• Redesigning the service to make it more responsive and to help people achieve greater independence;
• Improvement in information, communication and support for people with an acquired brain injury, their families and their carers;
• Promoting partnership working to improve planning and development of services, and the sharing of best practice;
• A regional approach to service and performance standards and quality improvement.

The Minister also published the findings of Review of Services for People with Acquired Traumatic Brain Injury in Northern Ireland, which he commissioned in 2008.

The Review report sets out recommendations that identify the initial key steps required to improve services for people with an acquired brain injury. These recommendations informed the development of the DHSSPS Action Plan on acquired brain injury.

Mr McGimpsey said: “The consultation document on the Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan will provide the opportunity for everyone, including families and carers, to make their views known and contribute to the development of acquired brain injury services.

“Whilst I accept that much good work has been undertaken during the last 10-15 years in the development of services for people with acquired brain injury, more can be done. I want to see tangible and sustainable change now, especially in the planning and coordination of services for acquired brain injury.”

To help drive forward the improvement to services, the Minister will set up a Regional Acquired Brain Injury Implementation Group.

He said: “The group, which will include senior representatives from the statutory and voluntary sectors, will have a key role in ensuring there is a coordinated approach to taking forward the actions specified in the action plan. In doing so, it will report to the new Health and Social Care Board.

“I also want to express my sincere thanks to Mr Richard Dixon, Chair of the Independent Review panel, and all members of his team for the work they undertook to produce their review report.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Acquired Brain Injury Action Plan (2009/10-2011/12) consultation document and response pro-forma is available by calling the DHSSPS Press Office on

028 9052 0074 or outside of office hours, until 9.00am on 31 March, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440.

It will be available from 9am on Tuesday 31 March online:

2. The consultation will close on 8 June 2009.

3. The Review of Traumatic Brain Injury Services report is available by calling the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074 or outside of office hours, until 9am on 31 March, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440.

It will be available from 9am on Tuesday 31 March online.

4. The Action Plan has been informed by this Review of Traumatic Brain Injury Services. This review was chaired by Mr. Richard Dixon, Chief Officer of the Eastern Health and Social Services Council. Other members of the Review Team were:

• Professor Lindsay McLellan, a UK consultant neurologist and expert in the field of neurological disability and rehabilitation;
• Dr Jacinta Morgan, a consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine in Dublin, who has wide experience in the development of stroke services and in enhancing services for patients with traumatic brain injury.

5. Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.