The Statewide Brain and Spinal Cord Injury (BaSCI) Project

Aim

The Statewide BaSCI Project aimed to improve health services and patient outcomes for people in Queensland with acquired brain injuries or spinal cord injuries requiring adult specialist rehabilitation care. By providing timely access to safe and quality networked care that is closer to home, patients will transition to the community in a supported way with improved outcomes and experiences.

Outcomes

The Statewide BaSCI Project achieved the following outcomes:

• $8.7Mrecurrent funding secured for new specialist services
• 51 new frontline staff recurrently funded across five HHSs
• Five HHSs now offer dedicated specialist adult rehabilitation through expanded service provision
• Queensland consumers accessing specialist rehabilitation closer to home, community and Country
• 24 service pilots delivered
• 76 FTE clinical project roles funded
• 158 individual clinicians involved in project-funded specialist rehabilitation pilots
• Workforce capacity building through accredited training and skill development, including 53 project staff who engaged in development of leadership and change management skills
• Developing partnerships between clinicians and services across the state to deliver better care
• Better communication about care options and expectations and improved patient experience through the development of resources like the Statewide Guideline for Access to Primary Rehabilitation for New Spinal Cord Injuries and a Statewide Concussion Fact Sheet (PDF 199KB), that is available in nine languages.
• Development of a proposed future service model for ABI Rehab in QLD
• Growing a network of expert clinicians across the state, which will continue within Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Special Interest Groups in the Qld Rehabilitation Clinical Network.
• Enhanced data collection through the development of the Minimum Dataset (MDS), which assists in improving outcomes, efficiency and effectiveness of care.

Background

Brain and spinal cord injuries are complex and life-altering. When an injury occurs, timely access to quality, specialised rehabilitation has been shown to support patients’ recovery and quality of life. However, there is considerable unmet need for adult specialist rehabilitation services in Queensland.

The Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Project (BaSCI) was a significant service improvement project funded by the Commonwealth Community Health and Hospital Program and delivered by Queensland Health to improve experiences and outcomes for people with brain and spinal cord injuries in Queensland.

Delivered in partnership with Queensland’s Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) from 2021-2025, BaSCI facilitated the allocation of $24 million in operational funds for adult specialist rehabilitation services and enabled the establishment of new models of care, improved pathways, and valuable data to build networked service models across the state.

Prior to BaSCI, the highly specialised and resource-intense rehabilitation services that are required for these injuries were provided by the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in the Metro South HHS. Guided by the Statewide adult brain injury rehabilitation health service plan 2016-2026 and the Statewide adult spinal cord injury health service plan 2016-2026, the BaSCI project partnered with HHSs to improve adult brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation services in Queensland.

Discussion

Consumer stories

Dale, Spinal Cord Injury, Townsville

When Dale, a 17-year-old from Townsville, experienced a life-changing event that resulted in a complete spinal cord injury, he initially underwent surgery and rehabilitation locally. It then became clear that specialised spinal services were necessary to maximise his recovery, and these were primarily available in Brisbane at the specialist Spinal Injuries Unit (SIU).

After receiving care in the specialist unit, Dale transferred directly home with local supports already in place with the Townsville team, reducing unnecessary hospital transfers and longer stays.

On Dale’s return to Townsville, NQSCIS provided immediate home visits, while virtual care support from the Brisbane team helped resolve unexpected issues with equipment, personal care, and community access.

Today, Dale is back to enjoying life — working, driving, fishing, and spending time with friends — thanks to the collaborative care.

“I just wanted a team who knew me, who understood what I was going through. NQSCIS manage most of my care now, and I feel good about getting back to my normal life.” 

NQSCIS saved Townsville University Hospital 602 bed days, avoided 25 admissions through hospital avoidance strategies, and locally provided specialist outpatient services to 65 people who would otherwise have travelled on return flights to Brisbane for their consultations through the pilot.

Erin, Acquired Brain Injury, Cairns

“A major fall left me with a spinal fracture and ongoing vomiting, agitation and memory problems. I knew something was wrong.

"A registrar in the Cairns Emergency Department recognised the signs of a brain injury and found the BaSCI Townsville Concussion Service Pilot. This referral changed everything.

"Accessing the clinic, however, was a major challenge because I live in Cairns. There was a waiting period for the consultation and it was a four-hour drive each way from Cairns. I had no family in the state, and I was still recovering from a spinal fracture and managing severe fatigue and mobility issues. I was navigating these complexities through severe cognitive dysfunction.

"But once I arrived, the care was transformative. Clinicians gathered in one room to hear my story, so I didn’t have to keep repeating it. They provided structured assessment and follow-up and ongoing connection. For the first time, I felt truly heard and supported and not exhausted by trying to seek help in a consultation. I had turned a corner.

"This kind of specialist care should be accessible to all Queenslanders who need it. All Queenslanders deserve the same chance at recovery.”