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Funding for research to improve independence of people with catastrophic injuries

The Insurance Commission of Western Australia will fund a 16-month research project examining and trialling assistive toileting technologies, commencing in March 2018.

The project will work closely with people undergoing rehabilitation at the Oats Street brain injury rehabilitation service located in East Victoria Park and run by Brightwater Care Group.

Brightwater will undertake the research funded by the Insurance Commission. Brightwater is a not-for-profit organisation that provides rehabilitation and support services to people with catastrophic injuries, and operates a research centre that focuses on new ways to enhance the lives of people living with disability or in aged care.

The research will be led by Dr Angelita Martini, Director of the Brightwater Research Centre; Annelize Prinsloo, President of the WA Continence Foundation; and a team of health specialists, carers and researchers.

The Insurance Commission spent $462 million in 2017 on toileting care and support for its clients with catastrophic injuries from car crashes. The research project aims to increase client independence by reducing the amount of care required while toileting, which can result in lower care costs.