ReNew clinical director visits Melbourne

BIRT’s director of clinical services, Professor Michael Oddy, visited Melbourne last week and presented a seminar on his Memory Battery at the APS College of Clinical Neuropyschologists on Tues November 22. Professor Oddy who is also the clinical director of ReNew, developed the BIRT Memory and Information Processing Battery, to better determine the efficacy of therapies for people with acquired brain injuries.

The battery updated the original memory test pioneered by the late Dr Anthony Coughlan, with features that increase the ways in which patients’ memory can be evaluated.

Professor Oddy said that the test was being used by neuropsychologists in the UK in particular beyond the area of acquired brain injury to assist in the management of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

He said the memory test was being used at the ReNew rehabilitation centre and by several other Australian neuropsychologists to inform practitioners of the most suitable support and further recovery treatment for individuals with acquired brain injury.

Pictured from left to right are:

Dr James Campbell Clinical Neuropsychologist Royal Melbourne Hospital

Dr Emilie Tijs Neuropsychologist Royal Melbourne Hospital

Professor Michael Oddy

Richard Dent

UK Clinical Director in Australia

Professor Michael Oddy, Director of Clinical Services for the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) UK, and Director of Clinical Services for ReNew Neurobehavioural Services in Australia, has worked in brain injury rehabilitation for more than 30 years. He also chairs the Clinical Executive for BIRT and is an Honorary Professor of Psychology at the University of Wales, Swansea. Professor Oddy is coming to Australia in November and will be presenting on the new BIRT memory test in Melbourne and the neurobehavioural model in Sydney.

The BIRT Memory and Information Processing Battery (BMIPB) is designed for use by applied psychologists in the fields of clinical neuropsychology and older adults. It is useful in both diagnostic work and in rehabilitation following acquired brain injury. The nature and development of this test battery will be described and discussed in Professor Oddy’s Melbourne presentation. In Sydney, Professor Oddy will speak on the BIRT neurobehavioural model which combines the best evidence-based, scientific methods of training and changing behaviour with an understanding of the exact nature of brain injury and a philosophy of community based rehabilitation.

In Sydney, Professor Oddy will speak on the BIRT neurobehavioural model which combines the best evidence-based, scientific methods of training and changing behaviour with an understanding of the exact nature of brain injury and a philosophy of community based rehabilitation.

Melbourne

Date: Tuesday 22nd November 2011

Venue: Charles La Trobe Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan St, Parkville

Time: 6pm

Contact: Email Melissa Stephens (melissa.stephens@pearson.com.au) at the College of Clinical Neuropsychologists or click here to book online.

Sydney

For further information on Professor Oddy’s presentation in Sydney please contact Deborah Frith on 0400 902 817.

A World Class Rehabilitation Centre

ReNew Neurobehavioural Services was officially opened by Mrs Jan de Kretser on behalf of the Patron in Chief of EW Tipping Foundation, the Governor of Victoria, in Altona Meadows on 29 March. Over 100 representatives from government, service providers and community organisations attended the launch.

Board members and staff from EW Tipping Foundation and the ReNew team were delighted to welcome our UK partners from BIRT to the launch: Barrie Oldham, CEO; Ann Buckler, Head of Quality Assurance and Business Development; and Dr Rashmi Sharma, Strategy and Special Projects Manager.

Rebecca Viney, an ambassador for ReNew, and her mother, Donna, joined in the opening celebrations.

Rebecca presented Mrs de Krester with artwork which she created as a memento of the day.

Click here to download the event program.

Watch Rebecca and Donna’s story, click here.

Photo Gallery