A groundbreaking programme to detect early-stage consequences of minor head injury is working with insurers, law firms and case managers across the country to help achieve the best possible outcomes for clients.
The Headlight service was created by brain rehabilitation specialists Reach to fill the gap in provision around mild head trauma, which does not necessitate urgent medical care, yet the impact of which can cause day-to-day cognitive issues which can grow over time.
The service, developed alongside insurer Aviva and launched last year, enables insurers to better understand the extent of a person’s injury and its consequences, so that appropriate therapy and support can be included within their claim.
For lawyers, Headlight gives the certainty that more minor consequences of head injury will be detected by Reach’s specialist team of neuro OTs, ensuring the client is given the best chance of recovery with all necessary support.
Case managers too are working with the Headlight service as a new route of referral and channel of support for clients who present with cognitive, emotional and psychological difficulties.
Headlight – which is run virtually – is now working with five major insurers nationally, as well as legal and case management firms, to fill the traditional gap in provision for mild head trauma assessment.
“There was a real need for early indication of red flags for people who suffer milder head trauma, and that just wasn’t there,” says Heather Batey, managing director of Reach.
“Previously, the level of injury might not have been picked up, so the client may have ongoing problems that the insurer maybe never knew about, and it has settled because it’s a low value claim.
“Or if a case manager is involved, the claimant lawyer might be looking to get an INA, but that’s quite robust, and probably over the top for that level of injury. For the insurer, that sets alarm bells ringing, as it’s almost like hitting a nut with a sledgehammer.
“So before Headlight, it was either too much or nothing at all. But now, this is a really good option for them, because it gives early notification of any signs and symptoms, and actually gives a steer on what needs to be done about it.
“We are giving them a tool to identify at a very early stage if there’s a problem that they should be worried about, and that is filling a much-needed gap in the market for everyone involved.”
The service continues to grow, and operates across the UK through its use of video technology for consultations with clients. Through the initial screening, Reach’s OTs will recommend either no further action; ‘light touch’ intervention; or a full Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) screening.
“We’re identifying what they’re doing on a day-to-day functional basis and seeing how we can support that,” says Heather.
“Not only does it help practically, but it also gives them a voice, like someone is listening to them. For a lot of people who have had a head trauma, because they weren’t knocked out or sustained a concussion, it isn’t taken as seriously as it should be. This is giving them a helping hand.”
