The John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research has been awarded close to $10 million to help improve the lives of those living with injury-related disability.
The funding has been granted by the state’s compensation agencies icare NSW and the State Insurance Regulatory Authority, continuing a 20 year research partnership.
icare NSW Managing Director and CEO Richard Harding said the research was invaluable in supporting people with injuries.
"Getting the right care and support for injured people is paramount. This investment will ensure NSW stays at the forefront of treatments and recovery pathways for severely-injured people," he said.
Chief Executive of the State Insurance Regulatory Authority Adam Dent said the ongoing investment will ensure this specialised research continues over the next five years.
"The John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research has played a key role providing evidence-based advice, and informing policy and legislative changes to make personal injury schemes in NSW sustainable and meet the needs of scheme claimants," Mr Dent said.
Head of the centre Professor Ian Cameron has welcomed the substantial funding, saying it will allow them to expand their activities and increase the impact of their research.
“While the emphasis of the funding is to support people injured in NSW workplaces and on NSW roads, the expanded work will directly impact on the health of people in the NSLHD who have experienced injury or illness causing disability,” he said.
“Our research aims to improve rehabilitation services for people with severe injury, particularly traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, and also people with musculoskeletal and psychological injuries.
“Our focus is on applying our research progress to clinical practice, so that we are directly improving the lives of people living with disabilities.
“Importantly, a key part of our success will rely on our collaborations within the NSLHD and the Kolling Institute to broaden our research and educational activities.”