Traumatic Brain Injury

Around one million people visit A&E each year following a head injury. While the majority of these people will experience no lasting effects, many others will be left with a TBI that can have devastating and lifelong effects.

TBI is an injury to the brain caused by a trauma to the head (head injury). There are many possible causes, including road traffic accidents, assaults, falls and accidents at home or at work.

A brief period of unconsciousness, or just feeling sick and dizzy, may result from a person banging their head getting into the car, walking into the top of a low door way, or slipping over in the street. It is estimated that 75-80% of all head injuries fall into this category.

A moderate head injury is defined as loss of consciousness for between 15 minutes and six hours, or a period of post-traumatic amnesia of up to 24 hours. The patient can be kept in hospital overnight for observation, and then discharged if there are no further obvious medical injuries. Patients with moderate head injury are likely to suffer from a number of residual symptoms.

Severe head injury is usually defined as being a condition where the patient has been in an unconscious state for six hours or more, or a post-traumatic amnesia of 24 hours or more. These patients are likely to be hospitalised and receive rehabilitation once the acute phase has passed. Depending on the length of time in coma, these patients tend to have more serious physical deficits. (Headway. 2018)

Survivors of TBI’s are often left with life-long cognitive, physical, sensory, behavioural or emotional consequences that impact on every aspect of their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Recovery and the benefits of rehabilitation are unpredictable, but therapy and the correct support will reduce the long-term consequences for individuals and their families.

Rehabilitation can be provided in the community, in rehabilitation units or as an out-patient and should be provided by a skilled and experienced multi-disciplinary team (MDT). The MDT will normally consist of therapists, doctors, nurses and support staff. In some cases, survivors may require placement in suitable residential or nursing homes and receive continuing NHS healthcare funding.

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Continued suspension of INS face-to-face groups

Following recent developments in efforts to tackle the spread of the COVID-19 virus, a decision has been made to stop INS face-to-face services until further notice.
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Find out what's been happening at INS in our latest Newsletter... INS face-to-face groups remain suspended but we continue to support our clients through video / phone contact, and arranging to meet some in person... A hugely positive response to INS online sessions during lockdown... Over 150 people, including then Twickenham MP Sir Vince Cable, and the Mayors of Richmond and Hounslow, joined service users, staff and volunteers at York House for INS 25th Anniversary event on 17 October 2019...
INS Newsletter (Autumn 2020)

Details of what's been happening at INS in recent months and plans for the coming weeks in our latest Newsletter... Find out how our staff and clients took part in the 2.6 Challenge, raising in excess of £2,000 for INS. Events included a 2.6 mile run, running on the spot for 26 minutes, and a 26-line poem! You can continue to show your support by clicking the Donate button at the top of the page.
INS Case for Support

Find out why INS exists, how we respond to people's needs, and the hugely positive impact that we have.

What is a neurological condition?

A neurological condition is a disease, illness or trauma that affects the central or peripheral nervous system. Examples of symptoms include paralysis, tremor, cognitive difficulties, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, pain and altered levels of consciousness.
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Integrated Neurological Services (INS) provides support primarily to people who live in the London boroughs of Richmond and Hounslow. However, we may still be able to offer support to people living just outside this area (eg. in Kingston, Wandsworth, Ealing) who are within reach of our base in Twickenham.
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I wouldn’t be here talking to you today if it wasn't for INS

I wouldn’t be here talking to you today if it wasn't for INS
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