Government Gives the Green Light to a Strategy for Acquired Brain Injury

The UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) is delighted that the Government has announced it will implement a cross departmental strategy for Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).

UKABIF has been working closely with Chris Bryant MP after he secured a Private Members’ Bill calling for improved services for people with acquired brain injury.

Now, in the week Chris Bryant was due to have the second reading of his Bill, the Government has agreed it will create a Panel Board early in 2022 to implement an ABI strategy.

Chris Bryant, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Acquired Brain Injury, said: “The Government has announced it will be creating a Panel Board in the New Year with officials from several departments to start devising a whole-Government strategy on ABI. In other words, the Government is doing precisely what my Acquired Brain Injury Private Members’ Bill is calling for.

“A huge thank you to all the acquired brain injury charities, MPs and other campaigners who have been supporting my Bill and the campaign.”

Chris Bryant and Gillian Keegan Minister of State for Care and Mental Health will co-chair the programme board which will begin by launching a call for evidence in early 2022.

Chloe Hayward, Executive Director of UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF), said: “The Government’s announcement that they will be implementing a full ABI strategy is hugely welcome news. We have worked tirelessly to back Chris and his Bill as we are acutely aware of how much it is needed and what a difference it will make to better supporting people with an acquired brain injury.

“It has been a real collective effort from charities including The Child Brain Injury Trust, The Children’s Trust, The Disabilities Trust and Headway, supporters, service users and MPs and it is wonderful to see that collaboration pay off. There is much work to do in the New Year as the ABI strategy is implemented and UKABIF will continue to play a key role in ensuring people with acquired brain injury have access to the support they need.”

You can read a full copy of the statement here https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2021-12-02/hcws438