Family and Service Users
- Nutrition [1]
- Activities [2]
- Your journey [3]
- Moving on [4]
- What is an acquired brain injury (ABI)? [5]
- Useful resources [6]
First time on a website about brain injuries? Feeling lost? Feeling unsure about what some of the words here mean? Here's a quick breakdown of the meanings of common terms normally associated with acquired brain injuries:
ABI Acquired Brain Injury
Acquired brain injury (ABI) is brain damage caused by events after birth, rather than as part of a genetic or congenital disorder such as foetal alcohol syndrome, perinatal illness or perinatal hypoxia.
ABI can result in cognitive, physical, emotional, or behavioural impairments that lead to permanent or temporary changes in functioning.
AHP Allied Health Professional
These are trained, clinical professionals who provide treatment and rehabilitation alongside doctors and nurses. Examples are Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists.
CQC Care Quality Commission
The independent regulator of health and social care in England, who monitor, inspect and rate hospitals, GPs and care homes, for their fundamental standards of care. These inspections are then rated as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate.
DoLS Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Amendments to the Mental Capacity Act 2005: allows restraint and restriction to be used, but ONLY if they are in the person's best interest.
LD Learning Disability
Living with a learning disability means you find it harder to learn certain life skills.
MDT Multi-Disciplinary Team
A group of clinical professionals working together to provide the best care programme.
MH Mental Health
A person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
MTC Major Trauma Centre
There are 26 established in England, of which 22 treat adults and with each linked to a number of supporting Trauma Units (TUs).
OT Occupational Therapist
An Occupational Therapist provides support and treatment to help people recover their ability to complete activities of daily living such as self-care, occupational skills etc.
PRN Pro Re Nata
This is a Latin phrase describing medicines that are taken 'as required'.
RMN Registered Mental Health Nurse
A nurse trained in the nursing of psychiatric illnesses
RN Registered Nurse
A nurse trained in nursing of general medical conditions.
SaLT Speech and Language Therapist
They will assess and treat speech, language and communication problems.
SOVA Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults
This is to protect any person aged 18 or over from abuse. Forms of abuse include physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, financial abuse, neglect, professional abuse, sexual abuse, racism and sexism. The Bedford Borough Safeguarding Adults Team can be contacted on 01234 276 222 or on adult.protection@bedford.gov.uk [7]
TUs Trauma Units
See MTC (Major Trauma Centres)