An Introduction
Brain Injury due to head trauma represents one of the major challenges to the National Health Service. Advances in medical care have improved the mental and physical recovery rates following head injury. However, even with further and much needed improvements in the acute and transitional care provided by the hospital services, the latter cannot address the long term personal, social and employment readjustment difficulties experienced by those who suffer severe head injuries. There is, therefore, a profound and chronic need for community-based social rehabilitation facilities, particularly in the North West of England and the Greater Manchester area.
The Head Forward Centre (previously
called Headwayhouse) continues to provide a social environment where attendees
can make friends, receive counselling, discuss issues of personal concern
and readjust themselves socially at their own pace. A unique feature
of the Head Forward Centre is that the staff, volunteers,
trustees and members of the management committee all have either
personal involvement in caring for a seriously head-injured relative, or
are professionals with particular expertise or experience in the welfare
and rehabilitation of patients with brain injury.
D Neary MD FRCP
Professor
of Neurology
Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centre
Patron of Head Forward Centre