Hi darl,
Jazz doesn't have CP but my 16.5yo brother does have very severe left hemiplegia in his arms and paraplegia Cerebral Palsy (basically, his legs and leg arm are affected).
So I'll answer for my bro, because me being 23 and us having only 6 years between us means I know some stuff
1. What town/city and state do you live in?
They live in the Redlands, Qld
2. When was your child first diagnosed?
He was diagnosed at about 18-24 months, when he wasn't meeting physical milstones.
3. What kind of tests were carried out? when?
He had the observational tests, seeing how well he did things, and then a brain scan (CAT scan? maybe?), and they detected the brain damage, was I think what 'confirmed' it. Also his history (born at 33w, PPROM, fetal distress, emergengy
c/s and delayed breathing, bronchitis and pneumonia, chicken pox at 6 weeks old... there was a lot of 'warning signs' i guess). Without the history, I think they leave it much later to try to pick anything up unless they pick it up by chance with a brain scan.
At the age of 13 he was diagnosed with epilepsy, abscent seizures, but doesn't have medication for them.
4. what kind of treatment/medication/support do you get for your child?
He's never been on medication, and he is SEVERE, so that is very heartening for a lot of people to hear!
He has gotten a lot of physiotherapy, speech therapy, and, as he got older, occupational therapy.
My parents also took classes and did physio with him at home, and his orthopaedic surgeon says that this has made a HUGE difference in his abilities now. The physio's used to say it was useless, but the way my parents saw it was this: He was given a less than 1% chance of having a 'functional' life. If there was ANY chance, they were going to DO SOMETHING and not just resign themselves to the majority figure. I know its not the most 'realistic' but its worked for them, and I know of others who put in the time and effort and reaped the rewards, like Shane Scott and his family.
He's had a total of 4 operations now... tendon lengthenings x2, a single femoral osteotemy and tenden lengthenings, and, most recently, a double femoral osteotemy, plus tenden lengthenings and an operation on his toe at the same time. He is about to start a plaster serious on his left hand next week and in Feb he is having an operation to shorten the muscles in one wrist and lengthen the other side, so he has more use of his left hand.
A lot of support has come from the CP League of Qld. When he was about 7-8yo (and my other brother had just been born) mum and dad started getting respite care (both day and one weekend every 6 weeks). It's fairly irregular unfortunately, they need more respite carers in most places, but its something that can make a difference.
5. Is it covered by medicare or for free or do you have to pay? Or is it covered by private health insurance?
They DON'T have PHI, so the wait lists were disgusting for the ops unless they were willing to pay for them. So no idea what PHI would do, I guess that would be case by case. But yeah if you can get Medicare they'll cover it, but you have to wait.
Which is ridiculous since if he didn't have them there was the chance he would NEVER walk.
Side note, he unfortunately can't walk. He can do about 2 metres in his walking aide but thats about it. Still a good effort for him though, considering they never thought he'd be able to talk, and he can. Underwater. With a mouth full of dry cement
He's also in Year 11 next year (at a mainstream high school) studying OP-eligible subjects such as Physics and Chemistry, with a dream to attend uni and do something sciencey I think, or possibley psychology, depends on how he feels by the end of Year 12 I guess!
6. How would you rate the medical services you have available to you?
Personally, most of them are great, and some of them are crap. He goes to the Mater Hospital clinic for his orthopaedic surgeon, which is fully equiped and staffed. Usually a huge wait but the surgeon he see's is FANTASTIC!
7. Are there any places/clinics/physicians that you would recommend?
I'd highly recommend Dr Terrence Maguire, he had a private practice as well as doing clinic, but he is retiring. I can't think of the new ones he is 'training up' but I think he is fairly good too. If they got in touch with him he would be able to refer some good places, he knows what he's talking about.
9. What about other support services?
There is a social worker called Shane Scott (he used to run his own counselling service but I think he works for DSQ - Disability Services Queensland - now), he is AMAZING, if they come to Qld, definitely look him up and chat to him. He has CP himself, and knows the ins and outs of the system, and how to get through loop holes and red tape.
The CP League are generally great, their social workers are good to point you in the right direction, I think there is one in every state?
Also LifeTec Qld (usde to be the Independent Living Centre) is a good service.
10. How important has having a parent or other close family around been to helping you with your child?
My parents didn't have any support (we lived with my grandfather but that was more to support him IYKWIM) and they did and still do find it extremely difficult. Although it wouldn't have dne any good because really family themselves are no good unless they understand and are empathetic and can give you what you need. We have a family member who used to say things like "aren't their homes for people that will look after him?" so no, family themselves aren't always important
SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE are most important, be it family or friends.
11. Is there anything else you can advise me about the system in Australia with respect to CP that might help my brother decide whether he should return to Australia or stay in the UK?
I always thought that the UK HNS system was superior to the Medicare system. Many people I have known and worked with have contemplated moving over there because the support they'd receive is 10fold to what they'd get here. Just what I've heard though, I've never actually been to the UK to know myself.
12. Do you know any other BB members I can approach who might be able to help me out here?
My mum isn't a BB member, BUT she's always willing to help others in the same situation she has been in so I can pass on an email address to her if you want?
What is available in Australia for kids with Cerebral Palsy 
DD14, DS9, DD7, DD5, DD 2 & 6 precious Angel Babies 
40+1: 3790g, 51cm
Maz the wench mama to 3 men (9,7 & 1) & a little lady (3)
prefolds and Night nappies soon 
Linear Mode
