NSW Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program
"Providing a comprehensive Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services to the population of NSW"
Consumers Corner
The Consumer Focus collaboration believes there is compelling evidence that 'great advances are possible when consumers, carers and health professionals work together.' According to the NSW Health Council, consumer involvement is a "fundamental right".
Consumer involvement in health service planning may occur in a variety of ways, through partnerships, committees, citizen's juries, focus groups, public consultations, discussion forums, community meetings, surveys or opinion polls. Consumers bring a unique and valuable perspective by helping those working inside the health system to recognise what patients see as the important aspects of care. In particular, helping to ensure that discussion remains focussed on patients.
The GMCT has allowed consumers to be active partners with clinicians, in numerous specialty service networks. These networks focus on ensuring that a high quality of care is delivered, access is improved and specialty services are well coordinated across NSW.
The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Directorate has appointed Mrs. Cheryl Koenig and Mr. Nick Rushworth as consumer representatives.
Consumer representation is designed to strengthen the Brain Injury Rehabilitation network in a number of ways. The most important role of the consumer representative is to bring a consumer perspective to the planning process when services are being developed and evaluated. Their input is incredibly valuable when clinicians meet and begin to 'strategise' for service improvements - it helps by keeping our focus squarely on the people we are here to treat. Other roles include taking part in specific working groups, such as helping clinicians to develop patient literature providing advice on consumer issues when sought by clinicians from the Network.
The positions are entirely honorary and we greatly appreciate Cheryl and Nick's time and commitment. Our consumer representatives have an open invitation to attend the network meetings.
In the coming months consumer representatives will be appointed to the Rural reference group and the Paediatric reference group of the Directorate. Kindly contact the Directorate via the feedback page to enquire about the consumer activites and provide further suggestions.
Cheryl Koenig
I am hoping to bring to the Directorate a consumer perspective that reflects my enthusiasm and optimism to improve and develop health care services in the area of brain injury rehabilitation.
I hope to draw upon both my personal experience and my wider knowledge of the key issues faced by consumers (patients and/or carers) in the area of B.I., with the expectation of improving clinicians' understanding of issues of concern to consumers. This experience comes from my role in the extensive care and rehabilitation of my own 'extremely severely brain injured' son, as well as meeting various patients and their families over the last 7 years.
So far I have attended a few B.I.R.D. meetings, where I mostly observed the personalities of the committee and their interactions with one another, whilst taking in relevant protocols and gaining some knowledge of the current agenda. I must say that what really stood out to me from my quiet observations, was the enormous administrative contribution from the clinicians and allied health staff, in particular the Chairperson Dr. Adeline Hodgkinson, and the many different hats and the associated added responsibilities these committed people take on outside what the average consumer or patient sees from their typical perspective inside a hospital ward.I found this both illuminating and encouraging.
Currently I too wear many hats, as do most people who find themselves in the role of Carer.
At home I am my son's physical trainer, speech therapist, social secretary, tutor, councillor, personal-care assistant etc. etc. Outside the home I am his mode of transport, his aide in educational courses, and by and large his navigator and assistant - both literally and figuratively.
But above all this, I am his mother and he is my best friend.
In May 1997 Jonathan, who was only 12 years old, was hit by a car whilst crossing the road not far from home. Initially he had a GCS of 3 and was given a poor prognosis, but due to his relentless drive and a well-coordinated holistic programme of rehabilitation, he has defied the odds - getting his HSC, working part-time and even learning to drive!
Personally, what I find inspiring about being accepted on the BIRD team is the knowledge that it is now being recognised that in debating public health issues, no one segment of society can evenly weigh all factors when deciding policy, and consumers are now being given a voice in that debate. I hope I can use that voice to represent the views and concerns of ordinary people in a positive and meaningful way and contribute constructively in discussions. Perhaps I might even be able to provide a little insight already realised by many consumers; human development cannot always be accurately determined by science, nor can potential be predicted, or spirit measured ! On the coming agenda for me is the exciting project of compiling a book of personal stories from people who have demonstrated some of this remarkable spirit.
Publication by Cheryl Koenig:
Theres always HOPE, just alter the DREAMS
Nick Rushworth
My name's Nick Rushworth. I'm President of the Brain Injury Association of New South Wales. The Association is the peak advocacy organization in the state for people with an acquired brain injury, their families and carers.
The role of President is earmarked for a person with an acquired brain injury. In 1996, armed with a bicycle, I attacked two cars.
The cars won, as they do. But my recovery was exceptional - two and half weeks in hospital, two and a half weeks in rehabilitation. I'm a journalist and currently a producer with the "Sunday" programme on the Nine Television Network.
Apart from a few bumps in my return-to-work rehabilitation, I had a dream run as a consumer. Which is a large part of the reason why I accepted the nomination to become President of the Brain Injury Association of New South Wales. I see my role on the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Directorate as being a conduit for consumers whose outcome may not have been as positive or whose experience of rehabilitation may not have been as blessed.
This web page is managed and authorised by Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce. Last updated: 30 March, 2009