The focus of an organisation goes in cycles, broadly aligned with its strategic plan, but necessarily responsive to the environment in which it operates. At Brain Injury SA (BISA) we strategically have had a focus for the last five years on growth and seizing opportunity, yet have necessarily needed to respond to changes occurring around us that are outside our control.
The COVID pandemic was a long three years in its delivery of impact on the community, felt most by BISA during the last year as infection rates increased when restrictions relaxed. We found life became more unpredictable and it was harder to achieve the targets we set ourselves.
I am pleased to report that a challenging year did not stop us forging ahead on plans and undertaking new initiatives. It has been exciting to see growth in our service partnerships and new services come on line during the year through successful grant application and other collaborations. We have also been able to continue some expansion of facilities, with the take up of opportunity in increasing the size of the Northern hub. Ongoing development in a service such as BISA requires vision and commitment, identifying unmet needs that should be addressed in service planning. It has been my pleasure to work with a Board and Management team committed to driving their energy into addressing such needs whilst making sure the organisation grows with strength and attention to its purpose, resources and operations.
We also operate in an environment of questioning and change. We recognise that the current review of the NDIS is looking for sustainable solutions that continue the agenda to enable people with disabilities live the life they want, whilst balancing this with affordability, the infrastructure needed to ensure people are safe, and for providers to operate with skill and integrity. After ten years of operation it is entirely appropriate for the NDIS to undertake such a review. We know that the outcomes of both this review and the Disability Royal Commission, may create changes in disability service delivery and accountability which as a service provider we will need to manage, but being part of a progressive revolution in how people with disability are empowered to manage their lives is integral to why we exist as an organisation. We want more for people who need our services and we want to be progressive in our thinking as to how we deliver this. It is through embracing change that service innovation can occur, and the Board wants BISA to be both open to new ideas whilst diligently attentive to the traditional essentials of service quality and accountability. We always welcome feedback from those who use our services and ideas on what we should be doing to enable people embrace life after brain injury. As a community service and a profit for purpose organisation, looking forward to what should come next is as important on reflecting where we have come from and what our purpose is.
I hope you enjoy reading our 2023 Annual Report on our achievements and activities. Your support for the organization in whatever form it takes is highly valued and we look forward to continuing to work with you over the coming year to strengthen the contribution we can make to the brain injury community.
Vladimir Malcik
Chair of Board
