Brain injury service redevelopment officially opened

5 October 2007

Acting Chief Executive of Hunter New England Health Dr Nigel Lyons will join with Member for Newcastle Jodi McKay today to officially open a redevelopment of the Hunter Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service in Darby Street, Cooks Hill at 10am.

Dr Lyons and Ms McKay will see first-hand how the refurbishment of the service’s Cooks Hill facility will go a long way to enhancing the services that can be provided to clients who have suffered a brain injury and their families.

“A brain injury has life changing consequences and can be caused by a range of factors including accidents, assaults, aneurysms, infections or a lack of oxygen,” Dr Lyons said.

“So, it’s very important that we are able to offer services to support them to live their life to its fullest potential.”

The refurbishment was made possible by a $250,000 grant from the NSW Motor Accidents Authority, with additional funding provided by Hunter New England Health.

The Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce (GMCT) provided funding for additional clinical services that will be accommodated by this refurbishment as part of its Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program initiative.
 
The Hunter Brain Injury Service offers programs that are individually designed to assist people who have suffered a brain injury to reach their full potential level of recovery when returning to their home and the community.

“The service also plays an important role in assisting clients and their families with adjustments to the changes that can occur after someone has suffered a brain injury,” Dr Lyons said.

“This is achieved through client-focused programs utilising the service’s five-bed residential rehabilitation service, an extensive outpatient service and an outreach service.

“This important expansion and refurbishment of the service’s facilities has supported the team’s expansion to meet the needs of the local community.

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in this project and acknowledge the valuable contribution of the Motor Accidents Authority for its ongoing and continued support of brain injury rehabilitation services state-wide,” he said.

Contact: Shannon Ramadge

Phone: 4921 4477