The Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA) has announced an 18-month program that aims to improve the independence of people seriously injured in accidents and keep insurance premiums affordable.
Research grants of up to $200,000 will be available to WA physiotherapy and occupational therapy researchers over the total program, to improve the lives of people seriously injured in WA.
The program will be coordinated by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), Occupational Therapy Australia, and their respective research foundations.
“I commend the Insurance Commission for funding allied health research designed to help people recover following an injury sustained in a crash or at work,” said Treasurer Ben Wyatt said. “In 2018, the Insurance Commission made around $550 million in claims payments to injured people, so it is sensible for it to pursue programs that aim to reduce that cost, while improving outcomes for its clients.”
“This is a great example of a government-owned insurer funding a program that delivers real value to seriously injured workers and road accident survivors,” said Phil Calvert, APA national president. “Physios are experts at managing complex injury rehabilitation for their clients and helping them reintegrate back into work and social routines. Funding new research to support this is going to make a big difference to the lives of many injured people in WA.”
Last year, ICWA paid for almost 100,000 sessions with allied health professionals to help claimants recover from injury more quickly, consequently reducing the cost of claims and the premiums paid by motorists and employers.
