The Need for Therapy and Equipment National Study for People with Cerebral Palsy and Like Disabilities

After a twelve month period, CP Australia was delighted to announce the release of the AIHW publication 'Therapy and Equipment Needs of People with Cerebral Palsy and Like Disabilities in Australia' on 7 December 2006.

The study is the first of its kind in Australia and the report has estimated the cost of meeting unmet need for therapy and equipment nationally. Researchers combined available data sources in three different ways using different assumptions. The estimates for therapy unmet need range from $22.5 million up to $54.8 million per annum. The estimates for equipment unmet need range from $3.5 million to $4.4 million per annum. Therefore with over 33,000 people in Australia with CP or like disabilities, the cost of meeting therapy and equipment needs can be as high as $59.2 million.

CP Australia wishes to thank the clients, families, staff, and agencies across Australia who gave so generously to the project. We are especially grateful to our project partners, AIHW, for their professionalism and expertise in delivering such a rigorous and quality publication.

CP Australia officially launched the report at the start of 2007 and can be viewed here.

If you would like a hard copy of the report or have any queries, please contact Anita Ghose at anita.ghose@tccp.com.au.