First published in the APCP Newsletter 30-3-22
We wish to introduce you all to the newly published Acquired Brain Injury document which is now available for all members to view and use. The document aims to be a useful resource for practitioners working with children following an ABI, in both acute and community settings. Information has been collated from the scientific literature as well as clinical experience and presented in an easy to use manner. Topics include but are not limited to presentation, assessment and treatment ideas.
The document was launched at the APCP Conference in 2021 and we were fortunate to have external speakers (Dr Tomoki Arichi and Dr Mark Linden) provide a wider insight into different aspects of ABI and our very own David Young launched the document on behalf of the Neurodisability group. Over the coming year, we hope you are able to read and utilise the document. We will be looking for formal feedback on the ABI document later in the year (as well as the Spinal Cord injury and Electrical Stimulation documents also published recently by our group).
In November the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Cerebral Palsy (CP) put out a call for evidence on ‘Barriers for adults with Cerebral Palsy accessing and receiving healthcare that prevent them from ageing well and full life participation’. Claire Kerr kindly responded on behalf of our committee, writing to support the development and transformation of services to improve the transition from paediatric to adult services for people with CP across the UK. The diverse needs of adolescents and adults with a neuro-disability originating in childhood were highlighted in the APCP Neuro-disability report. We also raised the difficulties that many young people and their families have when transitioning from paediatric services to a more fragmented adult health care system. The lack of clarity regarding health and care provision, access to services and provision of ongoing specialist care is an ongoing concern. As a group we feel compelled to add a voice to support processes which will ensure people with CP can age well, participate fully and access the health and care they need from suitably trained and experienced providers in a timely manner.
The Neurodisability committee continues to evolve. Three new committee members with a variety of experience and backgrounds joined us at the end of 2021, there will be a further call for new members in 2022 as further longstanding members step down. We look forward to a busy and industrious year ahead and would encourage any interested members to look out for the call for applications to specialists groups later in the year.