Concussions are more common than you think, and a lot of the time people might not be aware they have suffered from one. Research has shown that getting early treatment for a concussion means a higher chance of full recovery. So the sooner you get help the sooner you will feel better. Our Active⁺ Concussion service is fully-funded by ACC and is available across New Zealand.

What is Concussion?

The term Concussion usually refers to a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI).  This can occur from a blow to the head or a sudden stop (e.g. in a car accident), and it can happen with or without being knocked out.  People who have sustained a concussion often experience symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, irritability, dizziness, nausea or slowed processing speed.  In most cases, these issues resolve completely within a few weeks.  For a small number of people, their difficulties may persist longer.

Symptoms of a concussion

• Headaches
• Seeing stars and feeling dazed, dizzy or lightheaded
• Nausea or vomiting
• Physical and mental fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating, thinking or making decisions
• Trouble remembering (can be things before or after the injury, forgetting appointments or where you put things)
• Feeling irritable or anxious for no apparent reason
• Sensitivity to bright light and/or loud or sudden noises
• Difficulty with co-ordination or balance

What does the Active⁺ Concussion service involve?

Active⁺ Concussion Services are for children, young people and adults with a focus on early intervention so that people can get back to their everyday lives as quickly as possible following a concussion. Family and whanau involvement is welcomed. In this service, a person receives an initial assessment and then a rehabilitation programme will be worked out with the person. Different services are offered under Concussion Services depending on the person’s needs such as medical evaluation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation nurse input and/or psychology.

Are there any costs involved?

The service is fully funded by ACC, so all costs are covered by ACC once a claim has been accepted.

What are the next steps for you?

The first step is that you will need to get a referral from your GP, the hospital or an Urgent Medical Centre. Here are easy ways to show your health professional steps to refer you to our Active⁺ Concussion service.

Depending on your device, either:

• If you are using a computer, scan the QR code below with your phone which will bring up a webpage which you can show the GP or medical professional. Alternatively, click the orange button below and take a photo of the steps.
• If you are using a mobile phone, click the orange button below to show the GP or medical professional the referral steps.

View Referral Steps

If you have any trouble with this process please email us at headoffice@activeplus.co.nz. Once the referral has been sent through to Active⁺, an assessment session will be arranged with you to work out what your specific needs are. From there, a tailored service of treatment will be discussed with you.

Information for Health Professionals

Our Concussion Service is a interdisciplinary service funded by ACC to support people in their recovery from a mild to moderate TBI.  The service provides effective interventions and education to help avoid symptoms continuing beyond the usual recovery time. The service is fully funded when approved by ACC, so there is no cost to the client.

The service is structured to work holistically and aims to get people back to their usual activities as soon as possible.  The assessment process allows the service to be tailored to meet the needs of each individual, to get the best recovery possible.  There are a range of professionals who specialise in treating mild to moderate TBI and may be involved in treatment.  They work together with each other, clients, family/whanau, and ACC to ensure long-term recovery for clients.  

The team may include:

• Medical specialists including Neurologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Psychologists/Neuropsychologists
• Physiotherapists
• Registered Nurse
• Speech and Language Therapist
• Social Worker

How to refer your clients directly to us

You can make a patient referral to us directly either by sending an email to referrals@activeplus.co.nz or in Healthlink “activepl”. You can also use the Specialist Referral e-referral system to find and refer to us if this is part of your practice management system.

Click here to email your referral directly through to us.

For any questions on the service please email wendy.braby@activeplus.co.nz