Brain injury is often referred to as a ‘hidden’ disability because signs of this type of problem are not immediately obvious and many could be attributable to other illnesses or issues. However, brain injury is a serious condition and one where patients ultimately benefit from their symptoms being spotted quickly so that they can be provided with treatment and support – which is the focus of Action For Brain Injury Week.
Action For Brain Injury week took place last week and is designed to raise awareness of the problems that exist in correctly diagnosing and handling brain disease and making it easier for GPs to help patients. The campaign is specifically aimed at GPs, in assisting them to diagnose brain injury in patients and appropriately signposting patients and carers who are affected by the less obvious aspects of brain disease.
The campaign is working on the basis of giving GPs more information and resources in order to form stronger working relationships with them, with the ultimate goal of making brain disease more identifiable and therefore reducing the negative impact of it on the UK population. It will create ‘GP Champions’ across the UK who will highlight best practice when it comes to diagnosing and dealing with brain injuries, so that the standard of care being provided to those with brain injuries in the UK can be raised.
Brain injury is often underestimated, as it is not considered to be one of the more common conditions. However, 135,000 people are admitted to hospital each year in the UK as a result of a brain injury and there are approximately 500,000 people living with long term disabilities that have resulted from a traumatic brain injury. There are many different types of brain injury and this can lead to some confusion in terms of the perception of its seriousness and the problems with diagnosis - around 85% of traumatic brain injuries are ‘minor,’ 10% are ‘moderate’ and 5% are ‘severe.’
Hats for Headway Day on Friday 17th May was part of Action For Brain Injury Week and one of the more fun ways to raise awareness of the campaign and its goals. Anyone can take part in raising money like this – at Stephensons we donned hats for the cause.