I CAN!

Institute for the Clinical Advancement of Neuroplasticity

Providing integrated care for people with neurodisabilties

What is ICAN?

ICAN! Is a non-profit organisation offering a new model of care integrating Medical, Mental Health, Rehab, Dental and Disability Care under one umbrella. I CAN! is an inclusive one-stop-shop offering an alternative to hospitalisation and inclusive communities with innovative service models using principles of neuroplasticity and lifestyle medicine. The vision for ICAN is: "A community where people with neuropsychiatric illness and disability have equal access to integrated healthcare and disability services and to full participation in the community in an environment of caring, compassion and empowerment that values the individual for all their abilities". This vision is based on evidence that the current inequities in health and quality of life for those with neurodisabilities can be improved by the establishment of a specific tertiary service, the Institute for the Clinical Advancement of Neuroplasticity (ICAN).

Learn more about our PATH programme

ICAN's Services

ICAN is a tertiary Centre of Excellence integrating teaching, research and the provision of specialised disability services with health care. I CAN! views medical and disability care as basic human rights and offers services at no out of pocket expense to people with disabilities. Services to be provided are across the spectrum of health, mental health and disability care, including:

Multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment and second opinion service
Polypharmacy and pharmacological restrictive practices review
Complex need medication review implementation and de-prescribing service
Integrated disability and health services – medical, neurological, disability, dental and psychiatric
Restrictive practice review
Activities of daily living (ADL) optimisation
Neuroplasticity-based capacity building and mobility training. I CAN! offers these services for all individuals with neurological disabilities including stroke, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, functional neurological disorders, acquired brain and spinal cord injury, autism spectrum disorders, and developmental disorders and degenerative disorders affecting the nervous system offering an integration of disability, medical, mental health and community support services with a focus on wellness not illness and ability, not disability

ICAN! Provides these services for all individuals with neurological disabilities including acquired brain and spinal cord injury, congenital and developmental disorders as well as degenerative disorders affecting the nervous system offering an integration of disability, medical, mental health and community support services with a focus on wellness using neuroplasticity principles. It will provide these services anywhere in Australia and will extend its services to become an international referral centre of excellence.

The Role of I CAn!

First in the hemisphere!

The I CAN! Programme will be a ‘first in the Southern Hemisphere’ using treatment techniques focused on principles of neuroplasticity. It will use an Integrated Care Model for Health, Mental Health and Disability Care. It will coordinate the efforts in the health, education and disability sectors in order to optimise care and minimise waste and duplication of effort. Medical needs, Mental Health requirements, Rehabilitation and Disability Care will all occur in a patient-centred ‘One Stop-Shop.’

Integrated Care

I CAN! will integrate care closely with disability NGOs and the families of patients. Education of patients, disability workers and carers will be integrated into the individual’s treatment plan. NGOs, disability workers and carers will be an integral part of the treatment team. This will include participation in ward rounds, discharge planning, outpatient follow-up and a shared electronic medical record with health, mental health, rehabilitation and disability combined.

Other Services

• I CAN! will be a fully digital hospital-like system, integrating with the GPS electronic medical records

• I CAN! will prevent inappropriate hospitalisations and reduce hospital stays for this population and will provide the necessary expert care for these patients with complex needs and co-morbidities

• I CAN! will have sustainable funding through bulk-billing and third party funders

• I CAN! will work closely with existing services in the community and national and international centres of excellence

Quality Measures

I CAN! will have an emphasis on transparency, accountability, quality and use innovative governance and financial models to ensure sustainability; Quality measures and clinical outcomes will be published on all patients and will be made available to patients and care providers as well as the general public. I CAN! will foster an environment of values, compassion, taking time with patients, clear communication and a culture of excellence, equity, learning, research and continuous quality improvement.

National Disability Insurance Scheme

I CAN! will work closely with the NDIS integrating heallh and disability services. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will be a fundamental shift to the way disability services are delivered in Australia providing greater choice and control to people with disability over their disability supports. NDIS is designed to enhance the quality of life and increase economic and social participation for people with disability.

The eligibility criteria for NDIS is outlined in The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (The Act) which became operational in July 2013. NDIS will assist eligible people who have a significant and permanent disability and who need assistance with every day activities. This includes people whose disability is attributed to intellectual, cognitive, neurological, sensory, or physical impairment, or a psychiatric condition.