South Holland and The Deepings MP Sir John Hayes launches right to rehab report for brain injury survivors
An MP who suffered a head injury in his youth is calling for a right to rehab for survivors of brain injuries in a new report.
Sir John Hayes, MP for South Holland and The Deepings, has asked Health Secretary Wes Streeting to embrace a national policy that ‘supports and funds the immediate and long-term rehabilitation of those living with acquired or traumatic brain injuries.’
Working with UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum, Sir John’s report reveals the £43 billion annual cost to the economy. He would like to see the introduction of a statutory right to rehab along with a cross-government acquired brain injury strategy and the establishment of a cross-Whitehall standing committee.
Sir John, a patron of Headway, recovered from a head injury when he was young and witnessed the struggles of others in hospital that required ongoing treatment.
He said: “I had a serious car accident in my twenties and I was in hospital.
“The chap in the next bed to me was a postman who had slipped on the ice on the pavement.
“While I was chatting to nurses he was being taught to feed himself - and I kind of felt there by the grace of God go I.”
As a parliamentary champion for Headway, the brain injury association, Sir John wants to see a lateral policy across government.
He said: “Brain injuries affect thousands of people a year and their life changes.
“I would like to see all the agencies join up with after care to make sure it is working.”
Sir John highlights that brain injuries can happen from simply falling, car or motorbike accidents and through sport.
He said: “It is very important that we engage with brain injury and advance the cause of people affected.
“Dealing with the immediate trauma, emergency treatment, aftercare and rehab can be patchy - people's recovery can take months or years.”
Sport England actively addresses brain injuries in sport, for example concussion which Sir John welcomes.
He said: “Following a brain injury people suffer psychological and physiological effects.
“They can be dealing with some of those effects 20 years on.
“Not only their life changes but their capabilities and personality.”
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