Based at the Repat Health Precinct in Daw Park, BIRS is a statewide specialist rehabilitation service, which covers South Australia and the western parts of New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
Services provided by BIRS include:
- Brain Injury Rehabilitation Community and Home (BIRCH) which offers community and home-based rehabilitation programs.
- The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) which provides inpatient rehabilitation programs for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).
- The Brain Injury Tele-Rehabilitation Service which is available to rural and remote country SA clients.
- A Concussion Clinic which provides education and advice to clients following a concussion.
- A Spasticity and Motor Control Clinic which provides treatment and advice to clients with motor control and spasticity issues following an ABI.
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit
The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit is the inpatient rehabilitation service of Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services. BIRS forms part of the Repat Health Precinct and Royal Adelaide Hospital.
The rehabilitation team includes Medical and Nursing Staff, a Client Coordinator, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Speech Pathologists, Psychologists, a Dietitian, Recreation Officers and Rehabilitation Assistants.
The client and the family are an integral part of the therapy team, actively participating in decision-making and the therapy process.
BIRU Eligibility Criteria & Triage Process
What is a brain injury?
A brain injury may result from trauma, hypoxia, infection, tumour, substance abuse, degenerative neurological disease or strokes.
Following a brain injury, people may experience a variety of difficulties including changes to their:
- Physical functioning
- Cognition (thinking skills)
- Communication
- Emotions and relationships
- Control of behaviours
- Ability to do everyday activities.
What does rehabilitation involve?
Rehabilitation programs are individualised for each client.
Following a period of initial assessment, rehabilitation goals are negotiated with clients to address their specific issues and needs.
Team members work closely with clients as they strive to meet their goals and work towards a return to community living. This may involve:
- Improving function
- Promoting independence and safety
- Learning new strategies and modified skills
Progress in physical and cognitive therapy and progress towards achieving a successful discharge are reviewed regularly with the client and family.
Support, education and counselling form an integral part of our service.
Once medically and practically possible, time at home will be encouraged as part of the rehabilitation process.
The rehabilitation team liaises with relevant community agencies and assists clients to explore any issues around accommodation, equipment and support as a part of planning.
