Brain Injury News, June 2024

A monthly selection of news and events related to concussion, head injuries, TBIs.

Manifesto for brain injury

Headway UK has jumped into the election campaign by challenging the parties with their ‘five key asks’. Headway wants to see:

• increased understanding and awareness of brain injury,
• an end to the neuro-rehabilitation postcode lottery,
• investment in local brain injury re-ablement services,
• enhanced support for brain injury survivors’ loved ones,
• and a reform to social care making it equitable and sustainable.

You can find out more, including how to get involved in their campaign, on their website.

Research opportunity 1: TBI Lived Experience

Would you like to help shape the future of TBI research? Join the TBI-LEAG group! This group’s intention is to welcome individuals with first-hand experience of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), such as survivors, caregivers, family members, and interested professionals, to actively participate in the progression of research in the field.

By signing up, you will receive brief quarterly newsletters about the research happening in TBI, along with notifications of active research studies that you can get involved in either as a participant or in an advisory capacity. To sign up or to find out more, please email: lucia.li@imperial.ac.uk

Research opportunity 2: Mood impact after brain injury

We know that low mood and depression are common after brain injuries such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, and encephalitis, and this can impact our day-to-day activities.

However, planning and organisation abilities after brain injury can also impact mood. This research study is looking at ways to improve mood after brain injury by taking part in rewarding activities such as contacting a friend, hobbies, or other activities you find rewarding. This University of Oxford research study takes place online using MS Teams. You will meet with a researcher once a week for 3 weeks to plan activities together.

This research is targeted towards adults with a brain injury and low mood. Contact Andrea at Andrea.kusec@ndcn.ox.ac.uk or at 07935 242445 if you are interested in taking part.

Problems with prescriptions?

Have you been affected by the reported difficulties with ADHD and medications? The Royal Pharmaceutical Society wants to hear from patients who have been impacted by medicine shortages. They have created an online survey to collect experiences of patients and the impact of shortages. If you’ve had trouble getting your medications, be sure to shout about it!

What do you think of PIP?

The government is concerned that too many people will have access to PIP (yes, really!) and has opened a consultation on “the sustainability of the current model”.

Many people with brain injury may receive PIP as a result of their injuries. This is your chance to provide feedback in a rather bureaucratic survey. But stick with it, and let’s get our voices heard.