Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay led a delegation of stakeholders seeking $4 million to trial a pilot program in the New England North West in talks with Minister for Disability Services John Della Bosca.

The delegation included Member for New England, Tony Windsor, Brain Injury Association NSW chief executive, Deborah Frith, Peter Draper, and representatives from Challenge Armidale (CA).

The proposed model would deliver accommodation and services more suited to the needs of the 120 Northern Tablelands-North West people aged from 18-55 either in nursing homes or facing admission to them in the near future.

Mr Torbay said if successful the program could be extended to 6000 people in the same position Australia wide.

Group spokesperson, CA general manager Kevin Mead, said there were significant gaps in service delivery for people with acquired brain injuries and other physical and cognitive impairments in the local region.

The plan put to the Minister includes four tiers ranging from greater support for some to remain in their own homes; specialised community living units for those with moderate needs and specialist residential units in clusters for four or five residents with high needs.

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