Brain Injury Social Worker, Jackie Burt, listed in New Year's Honours

Jackie Burt, the Chair of the Brain Injury Social Work Group has been awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours for her work with people with brain injuries.

Jackie qualified as a Social Worker in 1985 and began her career with the Mental Health team in Moorhaven Hospital near Plymouth. She later joined the Neurology Team at Derriford Hospital where a strong multi disciplinary approach was important when working with people diagnosed with neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease, Brain Tumours, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Epilepsy and Acquired Brain Injury of all kinds.

Over the years Jackie has worked extensively with OT’s Physios, Speech and Language Therapists, Psychologists, Doctors and Commissioners. She has extensive experience of Local Authority Social Work in a Neuro Rehabilitation setting, involving arranging complex discharge packages for patients who have experienced life changing events and supporting families.

Having developed a special interest in Acquired Brain Injury Jackie joined the BISWG committee in 2007 and when BISWG gained charity status in 2009 she became a Trustee.

Jackie set up and runs the South West ABI Forum for professionals working in the field. She now works as a Case Manager in the South West and remains committed to raising the profile of the needs and concerns of those living with Brain Injury.

Jackie said "I am so surprised and delighted to receive this award. I have been very lucky to have worked with brilliant people over the years and happily have been able to help many people with brain injuries. There is a huge lack of education and understanding within the social work profession about brain injury and this is what the Brain Injury Social Work Group is trying to address through publications, training and education."