News
This section provides a round up of the latest news in the field of acquired brain injury. If you have any information which you would like us to post here please send it to ukabif@btconnect.com. Where information is provided by other individuals and organisations we cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of the detail. We do, however, always quote our sources.
Armed Services Compensation Scheme
The results of a comprehensive review of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, have been published by the Ministry of Defence. Troops injured in Afghanistan and Iraq will receive increased compensation of up to £1.5m. However, the maximum tax-free lump sum of £570,000 will remain the same, and backdating of payments will only go to personnel who have been compensated under the scheme since it started in 2005, replacing the old war pensions. UKABIF raised the issue of the low levels of compensation allowed for troops who have sustained acquired brain injuries in the course of duty as compared to compensation packages through other personal injury claims.
Vegetative state patients can respond to questions
Scientists have been able to reach into the mind of a brain-damaged man and communicate with his thoughts.The research, carried out at in the UK and in Belgium, involved a new brain scanning method. Awareness was detected in three other patients previously diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. The study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that scans can detect signs of awareness in patients thought to be closed off from the world.Patients in a vegetative state are awake, not in a coma, but have no awareness because of severe brain damage.
Read more: Vegetative state patients can respond to questions
ABI Behind Closed Doors - unspoken issues and possible solutions
UKABIF Annual Conference 2010, Thursday 11th November 2010, The Russell Hotel, London
Read more: ABI Behind Closed Doors - unspoken issues and possible solutions
Ever Growing Events List
The UKABIF events list is fast becoming the place to find details about courses, conferences and regional group meetings. If you are helping to run an event this year send your information to us to ensure that all those working in the field have access. See our full list on the events page http://www.ukabif.org.uk/events/cat.listevents/2010/2/2/-
UKABIF Conference Huge Success
The UKABIF Conference held at the Russell Hotel on 11 November was deemed a huge success by delegates, speakers and sponsors. The annual event aimed to update attendees in a number of areas ranging from nerve recovery to rehabilitation, therapy, litigation and outcome measures, The conference ended with a presentation from Professor Keith Willett, National Director of Trauma Care calling for assistance with organising rehabilitation services to facilitate the new trauma delivery plan.
Radio 4 Case Notes on Head Injury
This programme which was broadcast on 8 and 9 September features Dr Mark Porter on how best to help people rebuild their lives after a head injury. Damage to the brain affects people in all kinds of ways, both physically and emotionally. At the Bath Neuro Rehabiliation Services, Mark discovers how timely intervention can reduce problems.
Audit of Head Injury
The Audit, Information and Analysis Unit have completed two pilot projects reviewing the management of head injuries in Trusts in Kent and Medway and South East London.
Phase I focused on quantifying the number of patients with a head injury who attended Accident & Emergency, the number of patients admitted with a head injury and the level of severity and compliance against NICE guidance for imaging and triage. Phase II aimed to review patients that presented with a moderate or severe head injury.
Encephalitis Society publish ABI guide
The Encephalitis Society have published a guide for primary and community care practitioners entitled: Acquired Brain Injury in Adults (Post Encephalitis).
NHS Scotland publishes standards
New Standards for Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults have been published by NHS Scotland.
UKABIF latest
UKABIF's Annual Conference 'Developments in Acquired Brain Injury' takes place in London on 11th November 2009. With renowned international speakers on topics ranging from nerve recovery to outcome measures places are filling up fast...
