Experiences of brain injury services in the UK
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences of patients and carers referred to a newly established brain injury clinic and their expectations of the service
IRAS ID
161152
Contact name
Vanessa Raymont
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
West London Mental Health Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from a physical trauma to the head, e.g. due to accidents, assault, blast exposure
in military populations.
Each year an estimated 1 million people attend hospital emergency departments in the UK following TBI. In addition,
many more head injuries go unreported and are not assessed by medical professionals. It is estimated that, across
the UK, there are around 500,000 people (aged 16 74)
living with long term disabilities as a result of traumatic brain
injury.
These patients frequently have a wide range of cognitive, behavioural, social and mental health problems which are
not welladdressed
by current psychiatric or neurological services in an integrated, patientcentred
manner.
The aims of the study are to explore in semistructured
qualitative interviews the experiences patients with TBI and their
carers had of medical services, what their needs are and what expectations they have of an ideal TBI service and the
newly established Pilot Clinical Service for Acquire Brain Injury in Hounslow.
Patients referred to the newly established Pilot Clinical Service for Acquired Brain Injury in Hounslow. Patients will be
initially referred from West Middlesex University Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department, either as they have a
newly acquired TBI or they have a history of TBI and significant history of alcohol abuse. Patients who are physically
and psychologically dependent on alcohol at the time of the study will be excluded.
Patients and carers will be interviewed in the clinical area of the Hounslow Cognitive Impairment and Dementia service
at Lakeside Mental Health Unit. If patients are unable to travel they could also be interviewed at home. Every patient and
carer will undergo an interview that lasts about 45 – 60 minutes.REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2275
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion