What is an acquired brain injury?
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is damage to the brain after a period of normal development.
This damage can be caused by a number of issues, which include:
- traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- circulatory disorders
- interruptions of oxygen supply to the brain, for example nearly drowning
- central nervous system (CNS) infection, for example meningitis
- tumour and associated treatments, for example radiation
What the service does
The Children’s Acquired Brain Injury Consultation Service (Children’s ABCS) is a regional service that was established in 2012. It is a multi-professional team designed:
- to support existing services
- to recognise and respond to the needs of children and young people after an acquired brain injury
We support existing services by
- developing and providing information
- delivering training on acquired brain injuries
- offering consultations on children who have problems related to acquired brain injuries, for example:
- poor attention
- difficulties with organisation
- mental health issues
During consultations, we may:
- make recommendations on evidence-based treatments
- advise on educational planning
- signpost to other relevant services, for example in the voluntary sector
The Children’s Acquired Brain Injury Consultation Service does not provide direct child assessments or carer support.
What you can expect when you contact the service
A member of our team will get in touch to clarify what support would be most effective and how this can be arranged.
We provide a rolling calendar of training across the region and we also offer tailored training for specific service needs.
How to access the service
Services can use the relevant referral form below to contact our team:
Contact details
Children’s Acquired Brain Injury Consultation Service
Level 9C Outpatients Building
Royal Victoria Hospital
274 Grosvenor Road
Belfast
BT12 6BA
Telephone: 028 9615 2020
Email: Childrens.abcssm@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Naomi Brown, Regional Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
Telephone: 028 9615 2020
Email: Childrens.abcssm@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Dr Katie Burns, Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist
Telephone: 028 9615 2020
Email: Childrens.abcssm@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Charis Wylie, Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist
Telephone: 028 9615 2020
Email: charis.wylie@belfasttrust.hscni.net