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Aquired Brain Injury Increased Support

Submitted By: bthill
Date Submitted: 11-September-2007 4:07 pm
Status: Approved
Views: 4477
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Move over Bracks, the Brumby Government has started a campaign to assist young people recovering from severe brain injuries as a result of accident and other causes.

Minister for Community services Lisa Neville said $500,000 would be spent in the 2007 - 2008 budget to reduce waiting lists for the Aquired Brain Injury - Slow to Recover program.

"We promised to expand support services for people with aquired brain injury with funding of $12.3 million over four years to help reduce waiting times, particularly for young people requiring extended slow stream rehabilitation. Bringing forward $500,000 in funding to 2007 - 2008 delivers on the commitment we made to Victorians to meet the challenges of the future and invest in the services that matter to their families" says Lisa Neville.

Lisa went on to say, "We are already spending $5.8 million a year on the Aquired Brain Injury - Slow to Recover program and this extra funding will expand the number of people it can help over the next four years"

A report stated that people with severe / catastrophic aquired brain injury require rehabilitation of 2 years or more and the Slow to Recover program is the only service available, even for people who are not eligible for compensation.

The Slow to Recover program provides rehabilitation and support to approximately 137 people, who reside either at home or in Residential Aged Care. Currently, 70 people are on the waiting list for the Slow to Recover program and the extra funding stated above by the the Brumby Government is an effort to cut this number.

Other funding initiatives by the Brumby Government,

  • $53 million for research
  • $4.25 million for 20 neuroscience fellowships
  • $2.2 million per year, 10 beds for long term accommodation and support for young people with disabilities.