Chris Bryant demands a plan for Neurorehabilitation at Westminster Hall Debate
25 November 2020
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Posted by: Web Admin
Chris Bryant, MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Acquired Brain Injury has demanded made a list of demands to improve life for people with acquired brain injuries.
In the debate which took place on 24th November, which involved only one other MP, Chris Bryant asked the Minister Helen Whately for:
- A National Strategy for Neurorehabilitation
- A Rehabilitation Lead or clarification if there is already a lead in place
- A mandatory system for commissioning rehabilitation
- Protection for neurorehabilitation services during COVID
- A coherent and consistent system for commissioning community neurorehabilitation across the country
Liz Twist, MP who is a vice chair of the APPG for ABI also contributed to the debate citing the APPGs Report 'Acquired Brain Injury and Neurorehabilitation: A Time for Change' which was published in 2018.
Helen Whately, the
Minister of State for Social Care at the Department of Health and Social Care responded to Chris Bryant confirming that she understood the struggles for people with acquired brain injuries and their families having visited Kent and Canterbury Hospital and the neurorehabilitation unit there.
Ms Whately confirmed that neurology services will be restarting soon and 94% of those receiving rehab after a visit to a major trauma unit received a rehabilitation prescription. She conceded that the majority of rehab is commissioned locally and that guidance is available on what rehabilitation should be expected. Chris Bryant interjected at this point saying that guidance is not mandatory and that without money attached it is unlikely to be delivered.
The Minister also confirmed that during this period of COVID NHSE AHP Lead Suzanne Rastrick is also acting at National Clinical Director for Rehabilitation and that Complex Rehabilitation is one of a number of conditions which is protected.
Both Chris Bryant and Helen Whately agreed to pursue Michael Gove's promise to develop a cross government task force to work on the complex issues surrounding acquired brain injury.
UKABIF is grateful to both Chris Bryant and Liz Twist for their continued support and understanding of the issues and for their persistence in raising the issues in parliament.
Chris Bryant will co-chair a roundtable on COVID-19, Rehabilitation and Neurological Conditions on 7th December.
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