Scottish Managed Clinical Network for Acquired Brain Injury

The aim of the network is to improve the standard of and access to services for people in Scotland with an acquired brain injury.

Acquired brain injury (ABI) refers to damage to the brain that can be caused by trauma, stroke, infection or oxygen starvation. The most common cause is trauma which occurs disproportionally in young men from socially deprived areas, who are likely to be from poor backgrounds, and with low educational achievements. Those people affected show an increased frequency of substance abuse, suicide, psychiatric disorders, physical disability, long-term unemployment and family breakdown. As a consequence, ABI reflects one of the key - yet often hidden - causes of health inequality.

Between 250 and 500 new cases of severe and complex disability after brain injury are identified in Scotland every year, As well as the 250-500 severe cases there are a much larger number of patients (15,000) admitted to hospital each year with head injury of which approximately 50 per cent will have some disability following the injury. 

The problems faced by patients can be:

The Network takes account of the need to involve social work and other professionals, however the first task is to establish a robust clinical network across the country. Once that is done, we will work to make sure that effective linkages to broader care networks are developed.

The objectives of the network during 2007 are to:

We do not have a website yet but the MCN newsletters have additional information for anyone that is interested. The newsletters contain links to Scottish Executive documents which explain more fully the concept of MCNs.

If you wish to receive newsletters directly please email the Network Manager, Christine Flannery.

Newsletters

Network website: www.sabin.scot.nhs.uk
Network contact: Christine Flannery, chris.flannery@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk