Every 90 seconds, another briton suffers a brain injury most never get the help they desperately need
Thompsons Solicitors has announced a significant new partnership with Headway Devon, the charity dedicated to supporting people across the county who are living with brain injuries. The initiative marks a major step forward in improving early rehabilitation and recovery outcomes for hundreds of patients each year.
Across the United Kingdom, the statistics are stark: every 90 seconds, someone is admitted to hospital with a brain injury. Yet despite the prevalence of these injuries, many individuals never receive the full rehabilitation and long-term support they require to rebuild their lives.
With financial backing from Thompsons Solicitors, the MAPS Benevolent Trust, and the Players of the Postcode Lottery, Headway Devon will now be able to fund a new Clinical Lead Neuro-Occupational Therapist. This crucial role will provide hands-on, specialist care at both the hospital bedside and throughout the often-difficult process of recovery at home.
According to Ruth Wells, Chief Executive of Headway Devon, the partnership will ensure that patients receive support at the moment it is most needed.
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We want to be there for people at the bedside. We know that those who get the best support early on have the best outcomes,” Wells said. “Are proud to offer patients access to a Neuro-Occupational Therapist and support them through their recovery. We are grateful to Thompsons Solicitors and MAPS Benevolent Trust for their assistance, which has enabled this vital support for brain-injured patients.”
The partnership reflects Thompsons’ long-standing commitment to representing and assisting people affected by life-changing injuries. Lisa Gunner, Partner and Solicitor at Thompsons, emphasised the importance of coordinated early intervention in helping patients and their families cope with the impact of trauma.
We are delighted to collaborate with Headway Devon,” Gunner stated. “We understand the devastating impact a brain injury has on an individual and their loved ones. Implementing early rehabilitation, ensuring financial security and providing a robust package of care are all vital steps in rebuilding lives.”
Gunner added that Thompsons views its work with Headway Devon as both a professional and moral responsibility.
It is a privilege to work alongside an organisation that delivers such meaningful, life-changing support.”
David Stothard, Managing Director of MAPS Benevolent Trust, also praised the initiative and the collaborative effort behind it.
MAPS Benevolent Trust are delighted to contribute to this important programme, which we are sure will improve outcomes for everyone who is able to access the service,” Stothard said.
The new funding allows Headway Devon to employ a Band 7 Clinical Lead Neuro-Occupational Therapist, who will oversee a range of patient support services, from bedside rehabilitation plans to family consultations. The specialist will ensure that every individual in their care has access to the right resources, therapy, and recovery strategy from the very start of their treatment journey.
For patients and families facing the aftermath of severe brain injury, this early-stage support can make an immense difference not only improving survival and recovery rates but also restoring independence and dignity.
As one of the UK’s most established personal injury law firms, Thompsons has worked for decades to secure justice and support for individuals affected by catastrophic injuries. Its collaboration with Headway Devon underscores the firm’s ongoing commitment to rehabilitation, care, and community partnership.
While the numbers remain grim — with new cases of brain injury continuing to rise across the UK — initiatives like this provide a rare sense of hope. They bring together legal expertise, charitable commitment, and medical innovation in pursuit of a single goal: ensuring that no one facing a brain injury must do so without expert support from day one.