News

IBIA

UKABIF will be exhibiting at the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA) 2012 World Congress on Brain Injury which will be held March 21-25, 2012, in Edinburgh. UKABIF members are entitled to register for the Congress at the IBIA member rate.   

 More information on the Congress, including the preliminary program, is available on the IBIA website: www.internationalbrain.org.

National Audit Office publishes ‘Services for people with neurological conditions'

Almost £1billion have been wasted by the Department of Health through people with neurological conditions being unnecessarily admitted to hospital, a report published today by the National Audit Office exposes. The MS Society, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, Parkinson’s UK and the Neurological Alliance, along with non-profit organisation Neurological Commissioning Support – are urging the Government to create a targeted and properly resourced national strategy for neurological conditions which would include acquired brain injury. UKABIF are also asking for an audit of rehabilitation services for acquired brain injury. Read the full report and press release here.

Professor Mike Barnes joins National Leadership Group

Professor Mike Barnes, the Chair of UKABIF has joined the National Leadership Group: Improving the lives of people with neurological conditions. The purpose of the Group is to bring together key opinion leaders in the field to drive forward the development of neurological services and improve the lives for people living with a neurological condition. The group is co-chaired by the Department of Health Clinical Neurosciences Advisor, Dr Chris Clough and the Chair of Trustees of the Neurological Alliance, Steve Ford. More information about the group and its work can be found on the attached document.

Head injuries: investigating the benefits of memory training

Each year in the UK, around three children in every 1,000 suffer a head injury that is so bad they have to be hospitalised for at least 24 hours.¹ Sadly, these injuries, known as traumatic brain injuries, are a major cause of disability and can limit children’s future prospects. Dr Anna Adlam, from the University of East Anglia, is investigating whether a computerised training programme, which is designed to boost working memory, can help improve these children’s lives.

Read more: Head injuries: investigating the benefits of memory training

New publication 'My Parent has a Brain Injury...'

Jo Johnson, Consultant Neuropsychologist, has recently published a book called  'My Parent has a Brain Injury.' The book is available for purchase through the Headway site http://www.headway.org.uk/shop/my-parent-has-a-brain-injury.aspx. 

Jo will be attending the Sussex ABI Forum meeting on 7th December and will be bringing along copies of her book for sale - they are £9.99 if you would like to join the meeting and buy a copy of the book at the same time. Everyone is welcome to attend SABIF Meetings. The meeting will run from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesday 7th December at Swanborough House, Swanborough Drive, Brighton. 

The Children’s Trust, Tadworth

The Children’s Trust, Tadworth have produced a new film to give a brief introduction to their residential rehabilitation service for children and young people with acquired brain injury. The Trust is a national charity that runs the UK's largest children's brain injury rehabilitation centre, working with children from right across the country. For more information visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

UKABIF Appoints New Trustees

UKABIF has appointed three new trustees to its Executive Committee. Bill Braithwaite QC, Keith Hawley of Enable Care and Lisa Turan of The Child Brain Injury Trust joined the committee on 9th November. They will join Prof Mike Barnes (Chair), Ava Easton (Vice Chair), Keith Jenkins (Treasurer), Paul Brown (Secretary), Mike Hope, Amanda Swain and Russell Hardy in overseeing the running and future direction of the charity. Mike Barnes said 'We are delighted to welcome Bill, Keith and Lisa - their knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the work of UKABIF.' Longstanding committee member Patti Simonson stood down on 9th November as she has now served the maximum length of time on the committee. 'Patti has made a huge contribuition to UKABIF - we are very grateful for all her hard work.' said Prof Barnes. The committee are shown here with Prof Leonard Li, keynote speaker at the Annual Conference and Chloe Hayward, Executive Director.

Brain Injury Social Work Group Announces New North East Group and Bursary Scheme

The Brain Injury Social Work Group (BISWG) has set up a new group in the North East of the Country. The membership organsation which includes not just social workers but many other professional groups working in acquired brain injury is calling on health and social care workers in this area who would like to join the group. The next meeting will take place on 24th November in Newcastle. If you are interested in attending please contact Paul Brown at Thompsons Solicitors This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .'; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text25364 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

BISWG are also keen to advertise their bursary scheme. The scheme has been developed to allow people to apply for funding to attend or present at educational events. You do not need to be a member to apply and the average turnaround time for funding decisions is 7-10 days. For full details please see www.biswg.co.uk.

Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity

New integrated stroke service to help local people and their families in Luton

UKABIF Award Winner 2010 Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury (ARNI) are one of a partnership of organisations which opened a new integrated stroke service to help local people and their families in Luton on 8^th September.

The centre was officially opened by Lord Lingfield and is funded by Luton Borough Council with a grant from Beds & Herts Heart and Stroke Network for a twelve month period.

Read more: New integrated stroke service to help local people and their families in Luton