Chapter 9: Acquired Brain Injury Ireland

In recent years, various studies have pointed out a need to provide appropriate services to survivors of acquired brain injury and their families throughout the rehabilitation process (Bissett, 2008 ). In Ireland, professionals, ABI clients and family members have recognized a regional inequality in the provision of services and thus have been advocating for greater national coordination—to avoid people getting lost in the system or “falling through the gaps” (Bissett, 2008 ). The absence of suitable services has resulted in many ABI clients being inappropriately placed in nursing homes and psychiatric wards, while others have remained at home, creating a strain on their families and resulting in social isolation. A lack of knowledge and information exists among professionals and carers regarding ABI (Bissett, 2008 ).