Ms Emmah Ngarakana1, Dr Scott Davis1,2,3,4
1Well Balanced Care, Paramatta Park, Australia, 2James Cook University – The Cairns Institute, Cairns, Australia, 3Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre, Cairns, Australia, 4Cooperative Research Centre for Northern Australia, Cairns, Australia
Biography:
Emmah, originally from Zimbabwe, is a key member of the Well-Balanced Care team and is passionate about improving the lives of individuals in regional, rural, and remote communities. With extensive expertise and diverse experience in providing high-quality Occupational Therapy services, she manages a range of clinical conditions across all ages and cultural backgrounds, offering evidence-based assessments, reports, and recommendations. Outside of work, Emmah enjoys music, travel, and adventure, including bungee jumping at AJ Hackett. Her friendly, approachable nature makes her an invaluable asset to her team and the clients she supports, fostering positive and meaningful connections.
Abstract:
This presentation highlights the collaborative framework developed by Well Balanced Care (WBC) over the past three years to deliver impactful services in rural and regional communities. As a values-based multidisciplinary allied health private practice, WBC provides NDIS, private, and aged-care therapy services to communities in Modified Monash 5-7, where service access is often limited due to the scarcity of private, non-profit and government providers. The absence of formal collaboration between private, not-for-profit, and government organisations prompted WBC to ask: “How does the lack of collaboration affect service accessibility and quality, and how can we address this gap?”
Adopting a strengths-based approach, WBC has successfully leveraged the capabilities and resources of various organisations and clinicians, resulting in profound benefits for both clients and service partners. The key to this success is the building long term relationships, sharing of resources and knowledge, and expertise across organisations. However, this collaborative model is not without its challenges. Significant barriers include overcoming power dynamics, managing perceived competition, and navigating funding constraints that hinder coordination and integration of services.
This presentation will explore essential enablers for successful collaboration, such as building trust, facilitating multi-team activities, informal case coordination, and aligning therapeutic objectives. It will also address challenges faced by organisations, including the perception of competition, funding discrepancies, and concerns about staff retention. The outcome of this approach underscores the importance of sustained relational investments in overcoming barriers and enhancing service delivery in rural and remote areas, ultimately improving health outcomes for underserved communities.