Rehab hope … E. W. Tipping Foundation CEO Richard Dent gives Councillor Luba Grigorovitch the grand tour. 59965 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Vanessa Chircop
A NEW rehabilitation centre – the first of its kind in Australia – is set to open in Altona Meadows this March.
The centre will offer world-class rehabilitation and support services for people with an acquired brain injury (ABI).
ReNew, with 30 individual living units, will provide a real-life community-based setting close to transport, shops and local amenities where people with ABI can re-learn the skills they need to live independently and return successfully to their families and community.
This project by the E. W. Tipping Foundation, in partnership with Rehability Australia, is based on the neurobehavioural therapy model established by the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust in the UK.
E. W. Tipping Foundation CEO Richard Dent told Star that all previous ABI rehabilitation had taken place in a hospital.
“But if you come through this service then our focus is to have you become part of the community,” Mr Dent said.
“It’s for people on a pathway to full independence – that’s what we’re trying to achieve.”
Last Thursday, Altona Meadows Ward Councillor Luba Grigorovitch was given a tour of the centre. “I am so pleased that we are getting this facility in Victoria, and in Hobsons Bay,” Cr Grigorovitch said.
“It is a known fact that specialist care is needed for persons with ABI, and unfortunately it is a rarity that it is available.
“The ReNew centre offers specialist physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and other allied health staff which will be on hand and able to provide services from the centre to maximise recovery.”
The first lot of patients who will enter ReNew in March are being referred by the Transport Accident Commission.
