NIISQ Scheme Insights: Jul-Sep 2024
Overview
This quarter we continued our focus and expansion around the NIISQ Direct participant pilot, as well as commenced a participant video series to promote NIISQ services and support.
If you have any questions about this information, please contact niisqcommunications@niis.qld.gov.au.
The data contained below reflects NIISQ participants who were injured in motor vehicle accidents. For more information on how we assist people injured in work-related accidents, view our page on Work related accidents.
Highlights
During July-September 2024, we:
- held our 5th Participant Reference Group meeting, where a range of Scheme initiatives were discussed and rich input provided by the members
- filmed two participant videos as part of a series we are developing, aimed at showcasing NIISQ services and support
- published our NIISQ participant survey results
- continued our expansion of the NIISQ Direct participant portal. Enhanced security upgrades have been in place as we work with our pilot group ahead of broader rollout in the coming months
- successfully partnered with Something Digital’s ‘Empower every human’ lunch event, which featured Yao Ding, Accessibility Research Lead for Meta
- were nominated for two Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF) Excellence in Personal Injury and Disability Management Awards for our Innovation team and one of our Support Planners
- partnered with the Queensland University of Technology’s School of Design Impact Lab, where ongoing research collaborations are being explored, including with hospital and health services and universities
- confirmed the NIISQ Agency’s funding for The Hopkins Centre commencing January 2025. The Centre, a joint initiative between Griffith University and Metro South Hospital and Health Service, focuses on research in the field of research and severe disability
- commenced a wheelchair study using virtual reality with University of Queensland. The study will work with consumers of lived experience to develop a tailored virtual reality application that is a safe and novel approach to selecting a motorised wheelchair
- announced our support of a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Fellowship at Griffith University. Dr Ronak Reshamwala holds this position and aims to advance SCI treatment by developing a minimally invasive nerve bridge transplantation method and enhance the imaging protocol to address the challenge of visualising the injury site in the presence of metalwork
- commenced a three-year Aus-InSCI Translation Project with Griffith University. The International Spinal Cord Injury (InSCI) Community Survey is the first ever worldwide survey for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in the community, and
- attended and presented at health, disability and trauma-related events, including the Rural Doctors Association of Queensland (RDAQ) and National Brain Injury conferences.
On the horizon
In the next quarter, we will:
- co-host two brain injury awareness roadshows with the Queensland Brain Injury Collaborative (QBIC). These roadshows will take place in Cairns and Toowoomba, and include meeting with a range of local clinicians and community members
- onboard the next cohort of pilot testers for the NIISQ Direct participant portal
- develop a SMART goal card explanation video to support the roll out of this innovative tool to participants, and
- progress drafting and stakeholder consultation on the NIISQ Agency’s first Disability Service Plan.
Stay in the loop
To stay informed:
Explore our graphs below to learn more about NIISQ’s current participant cohort.
Tip: When viewing this report on a smaller screen, click the labels on our graphs to view them at a larger size.
Participants
Applications received
When the NIISQ Agency receives an application to join the scheme, we review the application to determine eligibility. Between July and September 2024, we received 44 applications, accepted 32 (on an interim basis), did not accept 10, and had 2 applicants pending decision.
Exited participants
People with eligible injuries enter the scheme as interim participants for up to two years and receive treatment, care and support funded by NIISQ to support their rehabilitation. During this period, we review the participant’s eligibility to remain in the scheme on a lifetime basis or to exit the scheme for various reasons.
Lifetime exited participants
For some participants, the treatment, care and support they have received has been effective in supporting a recovery that means they no longer meet the threshold for a serious personal injury that requires lifetime funding. After their lifetime eligibility assessment, 8 participants exited the scheme last quarter as a result of the treatment, care and support funded by NIISQ.
Lump sum exited participants
Participants who are eligible for lifetime funding might be eligible for a compulsory third party (CTP) insurance claim as well as NIISQ as part of their claim against the at-fault party. By taking a lump sum from both the CTP insurer and NIISQ, 4 participants exited the scheme last quarter.
Active participants
In terms of the current (active) participants in NIISQ, the number of lifetime participants continued to increase as expected. Lifetime participants now account for almost two-thirds of the total active participants.
Injury type
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to be the main injury type for the NIISQ participant cohort, regardless of location or demographic differences.
Participant role in motor vehicle accident
The scheme supports a range of participants who were injured in various circumstances on Queensland roads.
Participant age and gender
Young males aged 16-30 continue to be the major cohort for NIISQ participation.
Participant age and injury type
The cohort of participants with traumatic brain injury is relatively younger in comparison to other injury types, such as spinal cord injury.
Geographical profile
While the majority of participants reside in the Greater Brisbane area, North Queensland is the next highest area by geographical profile.
Payments for treatment, care and support
Payments by service type
More than 50% of service payments made on behalf of participants are for attendant, care and support which reflects the care and respite that is necessary for people with serious personal injuries.
Legal services and claims
Participant with CTP insurance claims
NIISQ is a no-fault scheme, which means people seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents may be eligible for treatment, care and support regardless of whether they caused the accident. For participants who were not at fault, they may be eligible for a CTP insurance claim in addition to NIISQ. Just over 40% of NIISQ participants also had a CTP insurance claim.
Lump sum eligibility
Participants with a CTP insurance claim who are eligible to take a lump sum opted in the following way at conference:
- 70 participants have settled their CTP insurance claim.
- of those 70 participants, 59 accepted a lump sum from both the insurer and NIISQ.
- 11 participants opted to take the insurer lump sum but decided to stay in NIISQ.
Last updated: November 2024