In October 2025, I had the privilege of attending my first Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF) Conference. The theme Evolve couldn’t have been more fitting. Over several days, I connected with a diverse group of people — insurers, legal professionals, rehabilitation providers, and industry leaders — all passionate about improving recovery and outcomes for people impacted by workplace and motor vehicle injuries. The conference left me energised and deeply reflective about the role we play as regional allied health and nursing providers.
The Power of Client-Centred and Collaborative Practice
A strong theme throughout the conference was client-centred care and collaboration — values that sit at the heart of what we do at Focus on Function. Every conversation reinforced how important it is to design services with clients, not for them. When people are genuinely heard, and when providers work together, recovery outcomes improve dramatically.
Since returning, I’ve been intentional about building on these messages — actively reaching out to insurers, discharge planners and other providers to strengthen networks across the region.
Regional Providers: Skilled, Local and Ready to Help
One standout takeaway for me was the recognition that regional providers need to be more visible to insurers and national networks.
There’s sometimes a perception that specialist rehabilitation can only happen in metropolitan areas — but our team is proof that expert, best-practice services exist right here in regional NSW.
At Focus on Function, we provide Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Dietitian, Nursing, and Case Management services — all with experience in catastrophic injury management and a deep understanding of local communities.
We don’t just deliver care; we adapt it to people’s geographical environments, their culture, and their personal recovery goals. That’s what true client-centred practice looks like in a regional context.
Collaboration Across the System
The sessions that explored co-design and shared responsibility really resonated with me. The idea that we can all play a part in designing better systems — insurers, providers, and clients — is powerful.
Since returning, we’ve already scheduled sessions with local GPs to explore how we can make collaboration easier and more meaningful. We’re also continuing to support our internal team to strengthen communication with external case managers and providers.
When communication flows well, everyone wins — especially the person recovering.
Regional Strengths and Community Connection
One discussion that stayed with me was about the perceived challenges of working in regional areas. Some metro providers shared how difficult it can be to source local trades or builders for home modifications — but that’s an area where regional services like ours excel.
We’ve built long-standing, trusted relationships with local builders and suppliers. They know our work, they know our clients, and often, our kids go to school together.
That’s the beauty of community — we look out for each other. These connections lead to faster outcomes, better solutions, and genuine trust between everyone involved.
Innovation and the Future
The possibilities for collaboration between regional and metropolitan services are endless. One highlight that sparked my imagination was the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) for pain education and management. The innovation and research happening in this space are exciting, and I can see great potential for adapting these tools into regional rehabilitation programs.
Moving Forward
Attending the PIEF Conference reminded me that we’re part of a broader, evolving system — one where collaboration, innovation, and genuine relationships make all the difference.
Our team at Focus on Function is committed to being an active voice for regional healthcare, ensuring that people recovering from injury receive the same quality of care and opportunities for recovery, no matter where they live.
We’re proud to be part of the solution — helping people rebuild, re-engage, and thrive after injury.
Focus on Function provides mobile allied health and nursing services across Tamworth, Armidale, and Gunnedah, specialising in catastrophic injury management including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputations, and complex trauma.
To learn more or collaborate with our team, visit www.focusonfunction.com.au
