Headway Warns Government To Help Brain-Injured Troops, UK

Main Category: Mental Health
Article Date: 11 Nov 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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On the eve of Remembrance Sunday, leading brain injury charity Headway has reminded the Government of the importance of identifying brain injury in British troops exposed to explosions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Luke Griggs, spokesperson for Headway, said: "We welcome the recent decision taken by the Ministry of Defence to conduct a major survey into possible brain injury suffered by troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a clear trend in the USA of increased rates of head and brain injury in returning soldiers and this needs urgent investigation in UK troops.

"The earlier a brain injury is diagnosed, the better the chances of managing the effects positively. Brain injury is often referred to as a hidden injury, as the effects are often either invisible or easily confused with other conditions. It is therefore vital that the government recognises the importance of having troops accurately assessed for brain injury immediately after being exposed to explosions in the field of combat."

It is estimated that there are well over 500,000 people in the UK of working age living with permanent disabilities as a result of head injury and, as life expectancy is normal, this figure is expected to continue to rise year on year.

Headway is now looking to establish a confidential helpline dedicated to members of the armed forces to run alongside its general helpline, which is available to anyone with a question about brain injury.

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http://www.headway.org.uk