ABSTRACT
The natural starting-point of any discussion of people with traumatic brain injury is a basic definition of Traumatic brain injury (TBI) to establish a shared understanding of head injury, how people are affected by it and the dilemma it poses for service providers. The severity of head injury is categorised by the use of the Glasgow Coma Scale that tests depth of coma in terms of motor and verbal responses, and eye opening. Usually the physical disabilities have minor functional consequences compared to those resulting from the disorders of arousal, cognitive executive function, drive and emotional expression. The 1980s saw a growth in quantity and scope of facilities serving the needs of TBI people and their families, but head injury rehabilitation remained the poor relation of major surgical technology. Trent Health recognised that the particular needs of TBI people place particular demands upon hospital staff and ward routines.
