ACC Reinstates Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service in Christchurch

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has re‑established specialist traumatic brain injury (TBI) residential rehabilitation in Canterbury and the West Coast, following a five‑year gap that began in 2020. ACC awarded a contract to Hauora Ability Services to run the service at The Granada Rehabilitation Centre in Christchurch, with operations commencing on 1 July 2026. The five‑bed facility is expected to cost approximately $3.5 million per year, though actual spending will vary with client volume. Prior to the new service, patients with moderate to severe TBI from the South Island had to travel to facilities in Dunedin, Wellington or Auckland, a distance that often deterred them from pursuing intensive rehabilitation. Minister for ACC Scott Simpson and Associate Minister Nicola Grigg highlighted the service’s role in keeping patients closer to home, improving recovery continuity and supporting return to family, community and employment. Early feedback from the opening has been positive, with clients and staff reporting improved outcomes and smoother transitions from hospital to rehabilitation. The contract is set to expire on 31 March 2028, and the initiative is seen as a key step in ensuring that South Island residents receive timely, high‑quality TBI care without the need for long‑distance travel.