Past to Present
A concept drawing of The Niche in 2001, now home to the Centre for Neurological Support which comprises the NCWA and twelve other neurological organisations.
The Neurological Council of WA (NCWA) had its beginnings in July 1992 at 320 Rokeby Road, Subiaco where the Council and several affiliated organisations located there, pooled together their resources and knowledge to promote the common and individual goals of their organisations within the neurological sector.
After securing funding in 1995, the NCWA expanded its services to provide needs assessment, personal care, social support, counselling, information, advocacy and respite care to people with neurological conditions and their carers in the Perth metropolitan area. In 2001, the Community Neurological Nurse service was inaugurated in the regional areas and this service now covers the Bunbury, Albany and Geraldton areas and their surrounds.
In July 2002, the NCWA and sixteen affiliated organisations moved into the new, purpose-built Lotteries building complex known as The Niche, built on land provided by the QEII Medical Centre Trust. The NCWA continues to reside there today and is the landlord of the Centre for Neurological Support (CNS) wing at The Niche providing office accommodation where available and meeting and activity room hire to member organisations.
The NCWA through its umbrella body role continues to work with its member organisations as a focal point to promote mutual needs and interests. In late 2010, a Council of Members made up from representatives of member organisations was established. The Council of Members has an advisory role to the NCWA’s Board on associated matters.
Mid 2013 onwards, the NCWA is focusing its metropolitan services around client counselling, information and advocacy services with a strong emphasis on the consumer perspective. The NCWA will continue its community neurological nurse service with an intention to expand its area of operation into other regional areas and into the Perth metropolitan area in the future.
The NCWA has increased its capacity in the areas of professional education and professional networking opportunities for neurological nurses in the community through the Community Nurses Network (CN3) and the development of a Post Graduate Certificate course in Community Neurological Nursing which commenced at Murdoch University in July 2011.