campaigner urges Scottish government to take action to help sufferers cope with after-effects
Call for backing for NHS-run brain injury support service
Published:
A campaigner is urging MSPs to back plans to establish an NHS-run support service for people with brain injuries in Aberdeen.
Walter Baxter says more needs to be done to help victims and their families and friends who have to cope with the associated after-effects such as depression and alcoholism.
The 58-year-old, who runs Aberdeen-based support group Brainhelp and played a key role in the campaign to save the city’s neurosurgery unit last year, is urging the Scottish Government to take action.
Speaking at Holyrood yesterday, Mr Baxter of Menzies Road, Torry, said: “I had a brain haemorrhage 11 years ago and after I was released from hospital I found there was no help or advice available.
“Not much has changed, so I am calling for a drop-in neurocare centre to be established in Aberdeen for people to come in for advice, which would go a long way to helping them and their families.
“If no services are available, people are left on their own and it is down to charitable and voluntary organisations to pick up the pieces.”
North-east Conservative MSP Nanette Milne said she fully supported Mr Baxter’s proposal.
“Many people who have suffered brain injuries from road accidents, and their families, would benefit enormously from such local support,” she said.
“A brain injury support group already exists within Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and I hope that a centre in Aberdeen could help create a network to support families across the north and north-east.”
Mr Baxter and Helen Moran of the Brain Injury Awareness Campaign were at the Scottish Parliament to hear the public petitions committee discuss their petition that calls for improved support services.
The pair are urging the Scottish Government to introduce a separate and distinct health and community care client category of acquired brain injury to ensure that victims and their carers get the help they need.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison has already announced that the government has “no plans” to introduce a separate category of care for patients, however.
She said the SNP believes that services should be based on individual need and not on specific conditions or diagnoses.
Mr Baxter said he did not agree with Ms Robison’s assessment and the campaign would continue.
Frank McAveety, of the public petitions committee, gave a clear sign that all was not yet lost by keeping the petition open and referring the issue to the Association of Directors of Social Work for further scrutiny.
