13/11/2003

Improvement needed for brain injury rehabilitation provision

Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Nigel Williams, today called for action to be taken to improve rehabilitation services for children with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI).

Speaking at a seminar in Cookstown – Services for Children with Acquired Brain Injury, Getting it Right in Northern Ireland - the Commissioner said that while there were first class regional acute services for children with ABI in the province, there was a real issue about what happens when children are no longer in intensive care, and especially when they are ready to return home.

He said: “I would like to lend my support to both the establishment of a residential rehabilitation centre for children with ABI in Northern Ireland, and a much greater investment in training and support for agencies helping those children who are living at home. I do not see this as a choice between residential and community care. I believe we need both.”

Commenting on his role as an ombudsman for children, Mr Williams added: “I will be able to help individual families if they are not getting the help they need.

"This might particularly apply after a child has been discharged from the acute hospital and the family are trying to cope at home. Sometimes things can go wrong with any number of support services, or issues fall between the cracks of different agencies."

Today's seminar was organised by the Northern Ireland Traumatic Brain Injury Forum and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

(MB)

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