Andrew Harding advises Minister for Health and Social Services
In his capacity as Chair of Headway Cardiff,
Andrew Harding recently featured in the local media commenting on
the plight frequently faced by those affected by brain
injury.
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Many families struggle to
obtain the help and support they need following brain injury and
often do not receive the services to which they are entitled.
The problem was highlighted
in the recent Ombudsman’s decision that a Carmarthenshire patient
who suffered severe brain injuries was failed by the NHS. Despite
qualifying for continuing health care, his family paid large sums
for care they should have received from the health service.
As a direct result of the
media coverage, Andrew was contacted by the Minister for Health and
Social Services for advice. He continues to be engaged in
discussions with her on the systemic failures and issues around the
continuing care process.
Hugh James continues to
support Headway’s annual campaign, Action for Brain Injury Week.
This year’s theme - under the slogan ‘If in doubt, get it checked
out’ - focused on the need to take minor head injuries seriously
and the information given by A&E departments to those who
sustain minor head injuries.
Research shows that 92%
of all hospitals in the UK are failing to provide patients with
adequate information following minor head injury, which could lead
to serious health implications and put lives at risk. In Wales none
of the 18 emergency departments met the full NICE guidelines.