Thank you PRG: Final meeting of the inaugural Participant Reference Group

Recently we marked the final meeting for the inaugural tenure of the National Injury Insurance Scheme, Queensland (NIISQ) Participant Reference Group (PRG). PRG members provided invaluable insights one last time while we also celebrated the group’s achievements.

To start the day, PRG members heard from Dr Claudio Pizzolato about the BioSpine project, funded by our sister agency, the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC). They expressed interest in this research, asking insightful questions on the project’s future impacts for those with spinal cord injuries, and whether it may be expanded to treat other injury types.

NIISQ Direct team members discussed ongoing enhancements and new features of the new NIISQ Direct participant portal to seek their feedback and insights. PRG members shared many thoughtful ideas for future NIISQ Direct enhancements.

The team also facilitated a co-design workshop to develop terms of reference for the next PRG. As current members have now completed their two-year tenure, no one is better placed to provide insights on PRG roles, responsibilities, and purpose.

Most importantly, we took a moment to express our gratitude to the inaugural PRG group members, reflecting on their remarkable achievements. Over the past two years, the group has shared insights, developed resources, and enhanced projects. Each member has played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the NIISQ, their voices driving business improvement and empowering other participants.

Group members reflected on their PRG experience:

“When I first joined, I was interested in being able to have an opinion on how decisions affect someone that has acquired a disability, like myself. The PRG group has been amazing, in seeing an idea go from a ‘back of house’ idea, to the PRG, to implementation over months, to then being an integral part of what makes my life better.”

“Just being included has been so beneficial for my mental health. Being able to collaborate on something. Something was taken from all of us and the PRG has only ever been positive.”

“The dynamic we’ve had together in this room, it is a privilege. For a government agency to actually reach out to the people they are looking after is huge, you guys have ticked a box more than you realise,”

“It is a cool dynamic here, your opinion is objective to your opinion, but it connects all of us. You know that you are being asked questions because your opinion is valuable. The respect in the group is everything, diversity has gelled because of the respect.”

Thanks to all PRG members for your valuable work and unique viewpoints. We’re eager to see what the future brings as we keep listening, engaging, and evolving. We’re also looking forward to meeting the new PRG and seeing the important contributions they’ll no doubt make to help participants’ voices be heard.