Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Launches Ambitious New Vision for Brain Injury Survivors Across Their Lifespan
The new 5 year strategy, titled ‘Beyond Boundaries’, represents a vision for the future of our organisation and for the people they serve.
Speaking at the launch of the strategy, Minister Norma Foley welcomed the new five–year strategy from ABI Ireland:
“”In Government we are acutely aware of the life-changing impacts of an acquired brain injury for the person, as well as for their family. Access to timely, personalised neurorehabilitation can support those affected to increase their independence, maximise their ability, and participate as active citizens in our society.
“There are clear commitments in the Programme for Government to complete the national rollout of HSE Community Neuro-rehabilitation Teams and to develop more regional inpatient rehabilitation beds. There are also commitments to provide community-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation services in every HSE Health Area and to increase the number of neurology nurse specialists and the number of consultant neurologists. We want to improve the rehabilitation pathway for survivors of brain injury, all the way from acute hospital to home.”
I commend the team at Acquired Brain Injury Ireland on the publication of their new strategic plan. “An estimated 19,000 people in Ireland acquire a brain injury every year. Through a range of community-based neurorehabilitation services, we support as many of them as possible to return to leading more independent lives.
Damien O’Carroll, a survivor of brain injury spoke at the launch about their recovery and rehabilitation journey: “When I had my brain injury my life was turned upside down overnight.”
“I recovered from the initial trauma, but when I was discharged from hospital I had to adjust to a completely different way of life. My memory and cognitive functioning were impaired. I had difficulty believing I had a brain injury and experienced a huge loss of self. I lost a great deal of confidence, and I felt very isolated.”
ABI Ireland has been a lifeline for me and before long my second life started.
“I’ve met others impacted by brain injury who experience some of the same challenges I do. I take part in activities that support my rehabilitation, and it helps structure my week. My confidence is back, and I can see a meaningful future for myself again.” “”
CEO of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Dr Karen Foley said ‘Over the lifetime of our new strategic plan, we will work to extend access to all our services, so that as many survivors as possible receive the support they need in the right place and at the right time. We will campaign for investment, build a strong organisation, and grow our expert staff teams to ensure we can maximise our impact.
However, there is still a long way to go if we are to meet the needs of all survivors and families living with the lasting impacts of an ABI. Long-term community neurorehabilitation services in Ireland continue to be underfunded and under resourced. Each week, we meet people who have been discharged from hospital without the necessary information, support, or signposting to the services they need. We continue to see young survivors inappropriately admitted to nursing homes simply because there is no other option available.
We are committed to working with our colleagues in Government and the HSE to address these ongoing challenges.”