Recovery Station is undertaking a Regional Outreach program to bring Allied Health services to Taree, Armidale and Tamworth.
Recovery Station is proud to announce that as a recipient of the Value-Based Allied Health Reconnection Grant from the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network, we will be piloting a regional outreach program to address the shortfall in access to allied health services such as Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology.
Our goal is to provide greater access to much-needed assessments and critical interventions for individuals living with disabilities, chronic conditions, and the ageing population. We aim to collaborate with local services to redress shortages rather than replicate existing service provisions. 👏
To do this, we’ve created an integrated model of service that combines:
The pilot program will initially focus on three locations: Taree, Armidale, and Tamworth and aims to support over 140 people not currently accessing services within the first 12 months.
Here’s why this is important
Regional NSW is experiencing a significant shortfall in access to community allied health services. There are long wait times for vital assessments, prescription of equipment, rehabilitation and restorative programs and critical therapy interventions for people with disability, chronic conditions and the aging population in regional and rural areas.
Recent data released by the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations confirmed people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are missing out on required services. In most cases, clients were only able to utilise 70 to 80% of the plans they were eligible for, with the percentage as low as 40% in more remote areas.
Our commitment
The Public Health Network grant underscores the importance of reconnecting regional people to allied health care services. Within our region, 58.0% of adults have a chronic health condition, much higher than the national average of 49.9%.
“We at Recovery Station are deeply committed to addressing the disparity in access to allied health services in Regional NSW. We are excited to collaborate and partner with a wide range of local organisations to identify, understand and support the unmet needs in our communities,” said Lisa Nolan, Director of Recovery Station.
“Our primary objective is to provide people with greater access to allied health services to improve their overall health, safety and well-being ultimately”.
After significant local collaboration, the first fly-in community visits will commence in late July 2023, with follow-up visits in October and again in March 2024.
How can you be involved?
To be involved in the Regional Outreach Program, you can contact Recovery Station on 1300 588 851 or click here to make a referral.
*** UPDATE ***
Our Regional Outreach Program is underway! Our team are thrilled to be a part of such an important initiative.
Check out these awesome pics from our team as they headed out to Taree, Tamworth and Armidale.
Until next time,
