ABI Ireland gets US brain-injury experts for rehab training

Staff from Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Ireland were among the first Irish people to complete specialised training in brain-injury rehabilitation.
For the first time, the training, which was provided by the US-based Academy of Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS), was held outside the United States.

Barbara O’Connell, CEO of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland said: “We are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care to people with acquired brain injury. We were the first Irish organisation to receive accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.”
“We selected the prestigious ACBIS programme as it provides staff with the skills and knowledge that are necessary to offer the highest standard of care possible.
“I would like to thank Monkstown Hospital Trust, which provided the funding to make this training possible,” O’Connell said. ABI brought two ACBIS trainers to Ireland to deliver the 12-week training programme.
Three ABI Ireland employees are now applying to become ACBIS trainers, meaning their expertise will be passed onto other ABI Ireland staff.
ABI Ireland is currently working with ACBIS to provide an Irish supplement for the programme to ensure the course material is adapted for an Irish context.
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland was established in 2000 in order to provide support services to people with acquired brain injury.
Almost 10,000 people suffer from a head injury in Ireland each year.
People with acquired brain injury progress at different rates. They may need to access services at different points in time as their needs continue to change.
Within each stage of rehabilitation, a range of different service providers is involved, which must be co-ordinated.