Speed Funding for Injury Research

by Kim Fisher

May 15, 2006

Premier Alan Carpenter announced at Royal Perth Hospital today that the government is to spend $8million over five years to improve West Australian Research into the treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries.

The initiative is to be funded by the recently announced speeding and other driving offence fines.

The source of the funding is appropriate because the leading cause of brain and spinal injuries is road crashes.

“In 2005, 335 people were hospitalised in WA with significant brain or spinal injuries as the result of road crashes,” Mr Carpenter said.

Neurotrauma Research Program Co-ordinator Louise Daw feels that the new funding gives WA chance to establish itself as being on the forefront of neuroscience research and Mr Carpenter agrees.

“The new funding will enable the work of the internationally-renowned Neurotrauma Research Program (NRP) at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) to continue.” Mr Carpenter said.

The funding will also be used for the NRP’s new exercise rehabilitation and recovery program known as the “Move Again Program” (MAP).

Ms Daw says that the new program is vital to helping people with brain and spinal cord injuries to heal emotionally, as well as physically.