Establishing minimum recommended standards for post-acute brain injury rehabilitation.

Brain injury is the biggest cause of disability for men under the age of 60 in the UK, and yet there are no nationally set minimum standards of care. This article describes the process undertaken by the South Thames Brain Injury Association (STBIRA) in setting out minimum standards for post-acute brain injury rehabilitation in inpatient facilities. These standards cover just one aspect of the patient's journey from coma to community. It is hoped that other groups will take up the challenge to set standards for other parts of the integrated care pathway, in order to ensure appropriate treatment for individuals with acquired brain injury.