Regional Alliance initiative

Regional Alliance is an initiative of Interact Injury Management and RehabCo in response to changes within the workers compensation and occupational health marketplace.

Interact Injury Management and RehabCo are based in regional NSW and are totally committed to the local communities in which they have offices and employees. Both companies are independently owned and enjoy the responsibility of ensuring regional communities receive effective injury management and occupational health services.

Nikki Brouwers, founder of Interact Injury Management, said the formation of the Regional Alliance was necessary to ensure large employers and agents within the new workers compensation could access experienced and qualified professionals located in the regional and rural communities.

"There is no doubt claims which occur in regional and rural areas have different issues which have to be considered when making recommendations in relation to effective outcomes," Nikki said.

"Along with the RehabCo we have qualified and experienced professionals who work and live within the communities we service. By living locally we are able to create links which are invaluable when addressing issues of return to work."

Founder of RehabCo, Shaun Lane also indicated the Regional Alliance is now in a position where they can compete on a statewide basis due to the alliance’s unique regional coverage.

"The Regional Alliance has 11 stand alone offices and we have over 50 health professionals who have experience in dealing with regional claims," Shaun said.

Shaun added while the Regional Alliance was a joint initiative of both companies they would remain separate as locally owned businesses which is an attractive option for recruitment and retention of health professionals.

"We have found Interact and RehabCo have low staff turnover due to the fact we are locally owned and operated. There is no bureaucracy within our organizations which ensures quick and decisive decisions if issues arise. We are local people dealing with local issues."

The Regional Alliance's charter is to ensure employers and workers compensation agents are fully aware of the benefits of using regionally based health professionals who can guarantee high quality outcomes within the local communities for all stakeholders.

Regional Alliances offices are located in Albury, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Canberra, Nowra, Orange, Dubbo, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Lismore.