Acquired Brain Injury Ireland

Denis Naughten, Fine Gael Deputy Health Spokesperson, with Steve Orme, Regional Manager West / North West, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.

I had a very interesting meeting recently with Steve Orme of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. Steve pointed out that 10,000 people/year present to A&E with a brain injury. This ranges from concussion, to road traffic accidents, to strokes. It may even be as simple as falling in the shower.

Acquired Brain Injury Ireland provides a range of specialised services throughout Ireland. As the needs of the individual change over time, usually as they recover, ABII provides a flexible approach, focusing strongly on individual development and incorporating person centred planning (PCP).

Person Centred Planning ensures that the person served is fully involved in all decisions that affect his or her life. A personal profile is drawn up for each person that identifies their current abilities and their support needs.

Acquired Brain Injury Ireland provides the following range of services throughout Ireland:

For more information log on to www.abiireland.ie

ABII are involved in a number of interesting programmes at present, including a project in Castlebar, where they are developing a clubhouse project to support people with acquired brain injury in the community. It is expected that this project will open its doors soon.

Finally, as Steve worked in the UK for a number of years, we discussed the Fine Gael plan for the introduction of Personal Care Budgets.

Steve was involved in the roll out of some of the pilot schemes in the UK. Some were very successful, others had teething problems. From our discussion, it is clear that the structure of its implementation is as important as the policy itself. But there is no doubt that in the longer term, this has benefited people with a disability and at the same time improved the delivery of appropriate services.

I look forward to getting a progress report on their programmes, later in the year.