The incidence of hospital admissions due to acquired brain injury is increasing, and due to increased survival rates there are a higherproportion of patients are discharged with complex disabilities including prolonged disorders of consciousness. These patients are largelycared for in the community by General Practitioners, with occasional input from specialist teams. This article combines latest guidancefrom the British Medical Association and Royal College of Physcians with our own experience as Rehabilitation Medicine physicians, withthe aim of improving confidence in managing patients with vegetative state and minimally conscious state, and increasing understandingof the associated medicolegal and ethical issues.
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