International leader backs regional brain injury research

President-elect of the International Brain Injury Association Dr David Burke will become patron of a new research partnership between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the Greater Murray Area Health Service (GMAHS).

Dr Burke will join executive director of Brain Injury Australia Fay Rice to talk on the importance of research for brain injury rehabilitation in regional Australia at the launch of the partnership in Albury this Thursday 15 July.

According to co-director of the Rural Rehabilitation Research on Brain Injury Project, CSU’s Associate Professor Bob Neumayer, the new partnership aims to improve the delivery of services for people with acquired brain injury through coordinated research projects.

“This is an excellent example of a partnership between academic and clinical organisations to the benefit of both parties as well as CSU and the communities it serves,” Professor Neumayer said.

Manager of South West Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service (SWBIRS) and project co-director Denis Ginnivan said the project will help attract and keep quality staff in the service.

“SWBIRS staff want to conduct research that is relevant to regional Australia. They need to be stimulated, challenged and kept up-to-date on issues surrounding brain injury and research is an important way of achieving this,” Mr Ginnivan said.

SWBIRS, which is part of the GMAHS, provides rehabilitation services to 250 clients with brain injury each year in southern NSW and North East Victoria. They range in age from five to 65 years of age and have acquired brain injuries through motor, sporting and industrial accidents.

CSU’s School of Community Health, which provides education and research for a number of allied health professions on the University’s Albury-Wodonga Campus, is one of a few Australian universities to include subjects on brain injuries.

Brain Injury Australia, to be represented by Ms Rice at the launch, is the peak, national body serving the interests of people with acquired brain injuries.