While it was great to see your article celebrating the 20th anniversary of Headway, the Oxford brain injury support group (Oxford Mail, April 2), I would like to mention what appear to be the forgotten long-term coma patients.

My family and I have endured a horrific year following the assault on my brother, who is now in a vegetative state.

Oxfordshire has no special facility for the nursing and care of such people who, once they leave hospital, are sent to nursing homes for the elderly.

They are placed in a home among people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and no specific attention, other than general nursing, is given to their other needs, such as sensory stimulation or physiotherapy.

There are very few places in this country, outside London, that offer facilities such as these, until and if the patient shows some form of consciousness.

There is a very real lack of support for patients and families in these circumstances.

I would like to say congratulations to Headway on its anniversary and thank its members for approaching us in the early days following an extremely difficult time.

J DENTON Longford Way Didcot