The Referral Process

The Process

We will accept a referral from anyone as long as they have the consent of the individual with the brain injury.  (The exception is when the individual is unable to give consent either through capacity issues or when unconscious/in a coma.)

Referrals can be made over the telephone and the referrer will be asked a series of questions relating to the individual’s needs/difficulties to enable us to determine the “next steps”.  We also require information regarding the individual’s name, date of birth, address and (approximate) date and cause of brain injury.

Once we have received a referral, a member of the outreach team will contact the relevant person and arrange an appointment to visit either at home or in hospital.  Appointments are usually made within a week of receiving a referral.

Telephone 0116 2739763 and ask for Mary or Marietta.

 What may affect a referral?

• Sometimes following a brain injury, an individual is reluctant to receive Headway’s support.  If they don’t want to talk to us we will not take the referral.  Everyone has the right to choose.
• If they have another condition or health problem that increase the effects of their brain injury.  Alcohol and drug abuse increases the risk of sustaining a brain injury and once a brain injury occurs, alcohol and drug use exaggerates and accentuates a brain injury making it difficult to work effectively to develop strategies and move forward

.
Eligibility criteria

• You must be between 18 and 65, although we will give advice to those outside this age range.
• Live in, or be in hospital in, Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.
• Have an acquired or traumatic brain injury (it cannot be a condition you were born with).
• It should be non-degenerative.
• We do not usually offer a service to stroke survivors (but there are exceptions depending upon circumstances).