Sir, - Yet again the National Safety Council is to be congratulated on its stark and striking campaign concerning speed, road traffic accidents and acquired brain injury.
Since 1995 an average 10,567 people a year are admitted to hospital in Ireland with head injuries. In 1999, there were 413 people killed on our roads, and a total of 7,807 fatal accidents and injuries. With advanced medical technology there are now more survivors than 15 years ago. At the acute phase, medical care, nursing care and paramedical intervention and attention are at their best. However, the long-term scenario and the effects of caring on family members and loved ones are somewhat different.
For many families disability equals poverty as livelihoods in many instances are gone. Many families must become full-time carers. This is due to lack of policy, strategy and totally inadequate State-funded resources. These are the silent wounded, voiceless due to the daily grind of trying to survive as best they can.
It is hoped that the new health strategy will address some of the above issues, as our Government never ceases telling us how good we have it. Ireland is one of the 25 most advantaged countries in the world. We owe it to every person to give them the best possible service we have when needed. We are failing. Better services require collective responsibility and it begins with each of us. - Yours, etc.,
Rosaleen Maguire, Irish Association of Social Workers, Irish Pearse Street, Dublin 2.