NSW expert criticises ‘quick fix’ approach to brain injury patients
Smart and innovative actions were required by Government in facing the growing problem of young people with acquired brain injuries languishing in nursing homes, according to the chief executive of the Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney (RRCS), Peter Williamson.
Funding had to be directed towards long-term solutions not short-term quick fixes, he said.
“The jury is still out on which way the Federal and State Governments will go in spending the $244 million set aside for cutting the number of young people in residential aged care,” Mr Williamson said.
“The big issue is ensuring that the funding is properly and efficiently directed, and that it goes towards providing alternative long-term care options on the one hand and on the other, limits young people entering nursing homes in the first place.
“The reality is that patients with acquired brain injury can take up to two years or more to recover. They might be funded for a few months of rehabilitation through health department funding, but then not get medium to long-term support from under- funded disability services. The end result is they end up in federally funded nursing homes.
“This is the cycle that has to be broken…not with short term solutions but clever, consistent and far-reaching solutions.”
An $80 million redevelopment of the Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney will encompass expanded accommodation and disability support services for young sufferers of acquired brain injury.
A dedicated task of the project, supported by the NSW Government, is to introduce a special “slow to recover” program for people needing long-term rehabilitation and disability support services to improve their opportunity for returning to community life.
