What is a traumatic head injury?
A traumatic head injury is damage to the brain caused by an accident or an assault. If you have had a traumatic head injury:
- You may have difficulty with the ability to think, concentrate, remember and make decisions
- You may feel angry, withdrawn or depressed. You may be very irritable or find it hard to control your temper. You may have lost interest in the things you used to do before your accident
- You may have headaches, tiredness, weakness, loss of control of movement and balance problems.
However, for many people there are no outward signs of any difficulties.
If you have suffered a traumatic head injury, the Community Head Injury Rehabilitation Team could give you support.
The Community Head Injury Rehabilitation Team (CHIRT)
The CHIRT Team consists of a social worker, a psychologist, an occupational therapist and support staff who work only with people with head injuries. We aim to help you cope with the changes having a head injury can make, and to work with you to improve your skills and to look at new opportunities.
Who can get support?
Anyone living in the Bradford Metropolitan District who:
- Is aged over 16 and under 65 years
- Has had a recent head injury with a physical cause
- Is willing and able to work with us so that they can do more for themselves and lead fuller lives
- Is free of any dependence on alcohol or drugs.
How to get support
You, a family member or friend can contact a member of the team (contact the Community Head Injury Rehabilitation Team). If nobody in the team is available ask for a Duty Social Worker who can take details -- someone from the team will ring you back when they return to the office.
A doctor or someone from the hospital can contact the team on your behalf.
What type of support does the team give?
A member of the team will discuss your needs with you, and the type and amount of help the team can offer you. Everyone has different difficulties as a result of a head injury so this discussion is very important in making sure we are able to help you in the way that is right for you.
Examples of the sorts of things we can help with are:
- Giving advice to you and your family on the difficulties a head injury may cause
- Working with you to improve your ability to do everyday activities for yourself, including looking after yourself, working and enjoying your leisure time
- Helping you adjust to the changes having a head injury can make to you, your family and friends
- Agreeing on the care services you may need
- Talking to those who may help care for you, and meeting their needs as well.
This will often involve working together on an agreed plan of action with you and your carers or family. The team will regularly discuss your progress and changing needs with you.
How to contact us
If you think we can help you please contact the Community Head Injury Rehabilitation Team by visiting the Get in Touch link below.
