What matters 2023 is released today

‘What Matters’ our annual report to understand the main obstacles for spinal cord injured (SCI) people living in the UK  is released today, with responses from more than 900 SCI people and their friends and family.

It’s clear too many live in fear of even the most fundamental services: visiting general hospitals and other care settings because you feel staff are ill equipped to deal with SCI patients

A big thanks to everyone who responded to our annual ‘What Matters?’ survey.  These responses provide us with invaluable information about issues specifically related to SCI people, their families and those working in the sector and help direct our work at SIA.

Some of the key findings include:

Your top physical health concerns

• 50% said bowel management
• 47% said bladder management
• 42% said pain management

Your top mental health concerns

• 36% said access to counsellors and therapists who understand SCI
• 41% said a lack of specialist rehabilitation support
• 47% said specifically anxiety or depression has impacted them

Your top barriers to leading a fulfilled everyday life

• 89% said that society’s attitudes about people with disabilities were a barrier
• 82% said they were worried about adapting their home for their needs
• 90% said access to accessing the outdoor and countryside

DOWNLOAD THE FULL WHAT MATTERS 2023 REPORT

So, what will we do for you?

We are expanding specialist services for you – counselling, OT as well as our specialist nurses – but at the same time building a set of resources and trainings for non-specialist settings – care homes, hospitals, and GPs.

We will make the case to all levels of the NHS that constructive, informed investment to build knowledge and expertise in SCI across these sectors will save money in the long term, and crucially, it will save lives.