Every year up to one million people who attend hospital will have sustained a head injury of some sort. A blow to the head, often in a road accident or fall, causes by far the most common type of brain injury.

The effects of brain injury are often devastating and can include physical disability, memory loss, speech difficulties and severe behavioural problems.

It is estimated that as many as three quarters of mild brain injuries may go unreported and un-assessed by medical professionals.

While it is not hard to identify those who have suffered a severe injury requiring a stay in hospital, mild injuries with long-term consequences can often be overlooked.

Brain injury is the largest cause of acquired disability in the working age population.

• Amongst those who are discharged from hospital following a minor injury, well over half (57%) will experience symptoms that affect their lives, such as poor memory, erratic mood swings and sensitivity to light and noise.

• Men are three times more likely to have a brain injury than women and men aged between 15-29 are five times more likely to suffer brain injury.

• People who have survived a brain injury generally have a normal life expectancy. It is estimated that in England alone, there are 420,000 people of working age living with the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury.