Brain injury services and the general election
I am not someone who ever really had strong political leanings, like most of us in this country I believe politicians are hardly talented managers, but bit part actors and after dinner speakers. However I can honestly say that I hope I have developed much more of a social conscience as a result of recent experiences. Anyone who spends time in hospitals, and has to deal with, and rely on health and social services is bound to take an interest in how it impacts on peoples lives. I am now aware that there are people out there suffering not just as a result of brain injury, which is bad enough, but how they are supported and treated by the public sector. My experience has opened my eyes to just how difficult life can get but with the impending election in mind wouldn’t it be great, if by voting, we could actually make a positive impact on this situation.
Apparently 17 million people in the UK have long-term conditions and it is well document that this group has traditionally been neglected. The National Service Framework (NSF) for Long Term Conditions was launched in 1998 and demonstrates an attempt to improve things in this area. That seems like a long time ago and you wonder how long it takes to really improve things. With only quality requirements and no plan to address the serious shortage of neurologists and nurses, no apparent way of measuring progress and a 10 year implementation plan, it is difficult to see any major impact from the NSF.
The government has a policy to enable people to leave hospital earlier and be supported in their own home. Looking at the costs to keep Anita in rehab, this makes financial as well as emotional sense because of the very long rehabilitation process. However at the moment, it seems she has had to accept less treatment and poor coordination of services as a result of making that choice. When you add that to the government view that they want people to return to work and add in the cost of long term care for a 40 year old woman then if there is any chance at all of making her more independent then it makes sense to maximize the situation. An area like health rehabilitation appears to have less weight than that given to areas such as education and sports centres of excellence. That is an absolute disgrace, because people who choose to improve themselves after such a devastating injury should morally be given every opportunity to do so. The negativity, lack of service and organisation in rehabilitation is an absolute disgrace. How can I support this government when it’s unlikely she will be fully supported in her wish to reach her potential!
I have looked at the Labour, Liberal Democrats and Conservative manifestos to see if any provide answers, but none are any real help. When making your vote there is a choice of either showing discontentment with the present government or positively seeing another party can make things better. There are some positives in the labour directions in the health service, and you wonder if the real responsibility for change belongs with senior management in the NHS. Whatever the case, at the moment there seems that there is a very long way to go before they use the good quality caring staff at the bottom to there best effect. I find it hard to stomach voting but will vote liberal democrat mainly because they will stop the injustice, to many disabled people, of charging people for their own long term care. My own plea to any government would be to please, please, please train and employ more neuro physios.