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Long delays hit brain injury recovery Long delays hit brain injury recovery
(about 3 hours later)
By Matthew Hilll BBC News Amber had a stroke when she was four By Matthew Hilll BBC News Advertisement
There is a shortage of occupational therapists
Children are having to wait as long as two years to be given specialist therapy to help them recover from forms of brain damage.Children are having to wait as long as two years to be given specialist therapy to help them recover from forms of brain damage.
But the BBC can also reveal there is a plan in hand that should dramatically improve the situation.But the BBC can also reveal there is a plan in hand that should dramatically improve the situation.
Amber Hinton had to wait two years for her first occupational therapy (OT) session in Weston Super Mare.Amber Hinton had to wait two years for her first occupational therapy (OT) session in Weston Super Mare.
The six-year-old had a stroke two years ago which affected her balance and paralysed her left side.The six-year-old had a stroke two years ago which affected her balance and paralysed her left side.
But she had a long wait to see a specialist in Weston who could give her exercises and equipment to improve her co-ordination.But she had a long wait to see a specialist in Weston who could give her exercises and equipment to improve her co-ordination.
Her mother, Emma is delighted she has just had her first session - but is worried it took so long.Her mother, Emma is delighted she has just had her first session - but is worried it took so long.
Time to move onTime to move on
She said: "I am really pleased because we have got our OT appointment after waiting for two years and obviously it is now really important for Amber's development to move on.She said: "I am really pleased because we have got our OT appointment after waiting for two years and obviously it is now really important for Amber's development to move on.
In the context of acquired brain injury two year waits are not acceptable because the maximum potential for recovery is in the early months and particularly in the first year after injury Dr Peta SharplesPaediatric neurologistIn the context of acquired brain injury two year waits are not acceptable because the maximum potential for recovery is in the early months and particularly in the first year after injury Dr Peta SharplesPaediatric neurologist
"I told the occupational therapist about the bike being a bit of a problem for Amber because of the balance."I told the occupational therapist about the bike being a bit of a problem for Amber because of the balance.
"And we looked at different things, maybe a tricycle or some different apparatus to move around in. It was really really good.""And we looked at different things, maybe a tricycle or some different apparatus to move around in. It was really really good."
Weston hospital, which is responsible for the service, declined to be interviewed but a spokesperson said it had managed to reduce waiting times from two years to just a few weeks.Weston hospital, which is responsible for the service, declined to be interviewed but a spokesperson said it had managed to reduce waiting times from two years to just a few weeks.
Recent figures from July show it is improving across the west of England.Recent figures from July show it is improving across the west of England.
Taunton has the longest wait at nine-and-a-half months.Taunton has the longest wait at nine-and-a-half months.
But in South East Somerset, Bath, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire the wait is at most four months. In some places that has come down from 18 months.But in South East Somerset, Bath, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire the wait is at most four months. In some places that has come down from 18 months.
Delays can be keyDelays can be key
But experts say any delay in the first year can affect recovery.But experts say any delay in the first year can affect recovery.
Amber had a stroke when she was four
Dr Peta Sharples, a paediatric neurologist for the West, said: "In the context of acquired brain injury two year waits are not acceptable because the maximum potential for recovery is in the early months and particularly in the first year after injury.Dr Peta Sharples, a paediatric neurologist for the West, said: "In the context of acquired brain injury two year waits are not acceptable because the maximum potential for recovery is in the early months and particularly in the first year after injury.
"We are setting up an outreach service (for the West) which will support therapists in the local child development centres in that early period so that children can go home, and not have to stay in hospital to receive their rehabilitation, but will be able to receive the level of rehab they need so we can optimise early recovery.""We are setting up an outreach service (for the West) which will support therapists in the local child development centres in that early period so that children can go home, and not have to stay in hospital to receive their rehabilitation, but will be able to receive the level of rehab they need so we can optimise early recovery."
However, the current lack of occupational therapists has led to three brain injured children having to stay at the West brain injury unit at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital for nine months longer than they should have done.However, the current lack of occupational therapists has led to three brain injured children having to stay at the West brain injury unit at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital for nine months longer than they should have done.
They were in hospital for a total of 21 months.They were in hospital for a total of 21 months.
Working party reportWorking party report
Dr Sharples also sits on a national working party which has produced a report calling on the government to improve what it describes as a patchy service.Dr Sharples also sits on a national working party which has produced a report calling on the government to improve what it describes as a patchy service.
The report by the British Paediatric Neurology Association says: "A small number of children with severe impairments currently remain for prolonged periods in general paediatric wards.The report by the British Paediatric Neurology Association says: "A small number of children with severe impairments currently remain for prolonged periods in general paediatric wards.
"Their stays are prolonged either by ongoing community, or house adaptation delays."Their stays are prolonged either by ongoing community, or house adaptation delays.
"Such medicalised settings are clearly far from ideal and it would be more appropriate to deliver this care in the community."Such medicalised settings are clearly far from ideal and it would be more appropriate to deliver this care in the community.
"The complex needs of these children are not reflected in current health service tariffs.""The complex needs of these children are not reflected in current health service tariffs."
The report concludes: "Children and young people who suffer acquired brain injury have particular needs which are often poorly met by traditional services."The report concludes: "Children and young people who suffer acquired brain injury have particular needs which are often poorly met by traditional services."
The working party proposes forming a National Steering group to improve the service.The working party proposes forming a National Steering group to improve the service.
In the West, Dr Sharples is putting in a bid for £500,000 a year for a special outreach team of occupational therapists who could support children at home much more quickly.In the West, Dr Sharples is putting in a bid for £500,000 a year for a special outreach team of occupational therapists who could support children at home much more quickly.
If the plan is approved it will mean patients like Amber are given the expert therapy that may well improve their chances of living a normal life.If the plan is approved it will mean patients like Amber are given the expert therapy that may well improve their chances of living a normal life.