To ask the Minister of Health to detail the steps he has taken to improve care and outcomes for patients who have a brain injury.

The Specialist Regional Acquired Brain Injury In-patient Unit (RABIU) is located at Musgrave Park Hospital and serves all of Northern Ireland. RABIU works closely with the Multi-disciplinary Brain Injury Teams within each of the five HSC Trusts to provide rehabilitation and support following a period of in-patient treatment.

My Department also holds contracts with community and voluntary sector organisations to provide ongoing support to people with an acquired brain injury.

Currently there are two regional contracts; one is to provide vocational training and support to people with an acquired brain injury and the other is to provide recreational support to people and their carers.

My Department has a close working relationship with all the main brain injury organisations in Northern Ireland who help to raise awareness of acquired brain injury. Recently, during acquired brain injury week from 9-15 May, a number of events were organised and videos posted on social media to raise awareness.

In addition, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) England is leading on the development of an Acquired Brain Injury Cross-Government Strategy. My Department and the HSC Trusts will respond to their call for evidence which closes on 6 June at 12.45pm. The call for evidence can be accessed via this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/acquired-brain-injury-call-for-evidence