Hume Medicare Local says a trial physiotherapy program in Finley and Urana will provide residents with unprecedented access to specialised treatment.
Executive Director of Clinical Services, Robyn Harbright, says the six month pilot, to be run in conjunction with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District and a private practitioner, aims to determine the most appropriate and long term sustainable model for physiotherapy care in the region.
Ms Harbright says the scheme is based on a research project carried out last November.
She says the private-public partnership will offer a broad range of physiotherapy services.
“Which would encompass in-patient services, sub acute services, rehabilitation, aged care, private practice in the community,” she said.
“Services for people that are disadvantaged, that live in a rural area, that are unable to access mainstream services in a larger regional area and for people with chronic and complex care needs.”
The aim is to eventually roll out services to Jerilderie, Berrigan and Tocumwal as well.
But Ms Harbright says expanding the program will be dependent on more state and federal funding.
“We’re envisaging that the pilot will be very successful,” she said.
“It’s something that’s been needed and identified in those communities for a very long time, so it’s very exciting for us all to be part of this project.
“We believe this blend of service delivery is what would be most sustainable for those rural communities long term, and critical to that is the relationship between all of the partners.”
Ms Harbright says the scheme will be evaluated in October and a decision made in either December or January, to determine if it can be extended.
“Urana has not had any form of physiotherapy service for at least 10 to 12 years,” she said.
“Being quite a remote community that is a significant distance from Wagga and Albury, Urana has a lot of difficulty obtaining any type of allied health.
“Finley has had some service there over the years, but it’s been very ad hoc and very limited and certainly not accessible to everybody.”