Context In 2021 a national rehabilitation collaborative was undertaken in New Zealand that sought to understand and optimise existing trauma rehabilitation provision, access and outcomes. The aims of the project were to:

• identify potential new initiatives that would remove barriers to achieving the best outcomes for major trauma patients

• work with local Quality Improvement (QI) project teams to implement initiatives

• increase the QI skills and knowledge of rehabilitation providers.

Process Scoping work involving consumers and key stakeholders identified unwarranted variation across the country, inequitable access to care, late diagnosis of complex conditions and fragmented follow-up.

A co-designed collaborative was used to bring regional teams together, teaching QI methodologies to facilitate improvement to local trauma services (based on the breakthrough series – IHI collaborative model and supporting kaupapa Māori rehabilitation processes where possible).

Analysis 11 projects are being completed throughout New Zealand, based in tertiary, secondary and community settings. Their improvements are targeting care coordination, discharge planning, patient experience and traumatic brain injury.

Outcome Early results are indicating improvements across the rehabilitation sector specifically with:

• Organised case management

• Better access to community follow-up

• Reduced delays into rehabilitation post-discharge (even during the pandemic)

• Incorporation of kaupapa Māori concepts into traditional models of rehabilitation

• Improved patient experiences

• Evidence for business cases that has resulted in additional resource

Learning opportunities It is anticipated that the rehabilitation collaborative will develop a change package for use in trauma rehabilitation services across New Zealand, to share the innovations and excellent outcomes of this important work.