This new clinical service supports victims of head injury, a previously overlooked group of patients, often struggling with hidden disabilities.

The project brought together the many disparate groups involved in treating head injuries to launch a specialised service capable of attracting permanent funding.
 

Achievements so far include:

• A new ward at Addenbrooke’s to improve rehabilitation after trauma;
• A dedicated team, the Evelyn Community Head Injury Service (ECHIS) , led by Addenbrooke’s first full time consultant in neurological rehabilitation, offering specialised information, assessment, rehabilitation advice and support to patients and their families;
• The spread of best practice, led by ECHIS, to the many agencies across Cambridgeshire tasked with supporting victims of head injury;
• A rise in the number of individuals receiving specialist neurorehabilitation at Addenbookes from just eight in 2010 to around 70. An encouraging number are returning to work or to normal life in the community.