SIRA and icare have jointly granted $9.6 million over five years to the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research (JWCRR) to help improve life for people living with injury-related disability.

The NSW workers’ compensation agencies, which have partnered with the JWCRR for two decades, say the renewed agreement will fund senior academic positions undertaking work in rehabilitation research and evaluation.

SIRA CEO Adam Dent says the research outcomes directly benefit people in both SIRA’s personal injury schemes, informing policy and legislative changes.

“We are delighted to continue this successful partnership to make personal injury schemes in NSW sustainable and improve the outcomes of people who make claims,” Mr Dent said.

The JWCRR, which is named after new icare board member and Chairman of the Dust Diseases Board John Walsh, is part of the University of Sydney.

It aims to generate new knowledge to improve health outcomes; link the research community with organisations and patient advocacy groups; and translate research outcomes into clinical practice.

icare CEO and MD Richard Harding said its research represented a “knowledge repository” used in more than 140 countries.

“Getting the right care and support for injured people is paramount and this investment will continue to ensure NSW stays at the forefront on treatments and recovery pathways for severely injured people,” he said.