FACT SHEET #F10: SINGLE THERAPY SERVICE

What’s new in the Budget for Canberrans seeking Therapy Services? 
•	In 2003-04, the Stanhope Government provided $2.3m over four years for the establishment of a Single Therapy Service.
•	Funding in the 2004-05 Budget provided for a feasibility study on the accommodation requirements of the Single Therapy Service for the ACT.
•	In the 2005-06 Budget year, $1.5 million provided for capital works to progress the single therapy service, utilised to re-fit Swanson Plaza and establish the Northside Hub.  
•	$2 million allocated in the 2006-2007 Budget for works to improve Therapy ACT facilities at the Southside Hub site.  

Why is the ACT Government funding this initiative?
Therapy ACT provides a range of free services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work and psychology for people from birth through to 65 years of age, who have development delays or disabilities.

The capital works supports the development of a ‘single therapy service’ in the ACT and the consolidation of Therapy ACT sites across the ACT.

The provision of ‘hubs’ for therapy services in both the north and south of Canberra supports the Canberra and Children’s Plan commitment to provide easier access for children and families to quality human services.
  
In the Northside, Therapy ACT has been able to consolidate seven sites into three. The Swanson Plaza site has been re-fitted to accommodate three age-based teams, including staff office space and clinical space.  The clinical space includes a gymnasium, splinting room, interview/counselling rooms, group rooms and individual therapy/treatment rooms.

The Southside upgrade will ultimately enable Therapy ACT to mirror the facilities and services provided at its Northside hub (Swanson Plaza).

How does the ACT compare with other States and Territories?
Therapy ACT is moving to aged-based teams and this will complete the transition to a single therapy service.   The age-based system is considered best practice. The single therapy service model is unique to the Territory and has evolved through an extensive process of research and consultation, as well as consideration of local needs. Therapy services in other jurisdictions are based on differing models, depending on historic and other circumstances, including population size.