Headway Birmingham and Solihull can be contacted at ANY point in this journey, where a family need information, support or advice.

 

Often the journey starts in the accident and emergency, where the condition is stabilised and any injuries assessed.Then time may be spent on the ward, whilst physical wounds heal. You may then start to receive rehabilitation, either on the ward or in a unit. Specialist doctors and therapists will then become involved.

 

After discharge from hospital/rehabilitation, your GP will take over the medical responsibility and hopefully Social Services will assess what you are going to need in order to cope on your return home.

 

Rehabilitation has two stages – the first being the formal intervention to improve the individual, and the second stage where the family and carers work to maintain that improvement. Research suggests that patients who make the best recovery are those whose family’s are actively involved, and can maintain this informal rehabilitation at home.

 

The greatest visible progress occurs in the first 6 months, after which improvement is often more subtle and less obvious. But it is important to bear in mind, that progress does not stop after 2 years, as has been suggested in the past. Rather people continue to improve even 5, 10, or more years after a brain injury.

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However, it is a common fact that many people are still sent home following hospital treatment with little to no further support or information.

 

 

 

There are many services that can be accessed if you have been diagnosed with a brain injury. Whether you need further support to recover, want to return to work or simply start rebuilding your life again.