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Another theme which emerged was the need for improved promotion of some services. Better promotion of services would increase the access of clients to the existing services. Service providers have a responsibility to ensure that clients and their carers have access to comprehensive information. Information needs include an understanding of the needs of the individual client, the expected outcome and the proposed timeframe. The review found that service providers do have educational needs to ensure that they have an understanding of current rehabilitation therapies and processes. Service providers also require up-to-date information on agencies, services and support services for clients. Meeting the educational and information needs of service providers enables them to assist clients and carers by providing adequate information. This then assists in the negotiation of agreed management plans, thereby helping clients to make a smooth transition across services.

This review proposes a model of care which places greater emphasis on achieving the best possible outcome for the client. This can be achieved by further exploration of accommodation needs and by greater involvement of not only the client and their carers but also their support systems, employers and community members. This assists the client and carers to make a smoother transition toward psychological adaptation during the rehabilitation process.

The review also proposes future directions for the improvement of rehabilitation services - something that is much needed. These include appropriate access to services and the facilitation of the active involvement of consumers and their carers in the rehabilitation process, supported by the development of seamless service structures. These new directions for improved delivery of rehabilitation services will be implemented, in the first instance, through a pilot project which focuses on acquired brain injury. This project is seen as a priority at this stage.

Mr Speaker, the rehabilitation review provides the embryo of a strategic framework. The strategic framework will address the recurring themes in the review of the need for improvement of accommodation facilities, coordination of services, improved education, and promotion of services. The next stage will be to further develop and finalise the strategic framework which addresses these issues identified in the review and further strengthens current best practice. The framework will provide a future direction which encourages more active participation of clients in the development and implementation of their rehabilitation plans.

Throughout the rehabilitation review process, assurances were given to the community and service providers that this review is the first stage in the improvement of rehabilitation services. An interdepartmental steering committee including service providers, managers and consumer groups will participate in the finalisation of the strategic framework. This cooperative approach will ensure that rehabilitation services in the ACT and surrounding areas will be improved, better coordinated, better able to meet the needs of the community and better able to provide the level and the quality of service the community deserves.

I present a copy of this statement, and I move:

That the Assembly takes note of the paper.

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