Auckland Spinal Unit is one of two regional spinal rehabilitation services in New Zealand.  The Spinal Unit is part of Counties Manukau District Health Board and is located in South Auckland in close proximity to Middlemore Hospital.

The Spinal Unit is a stand alone 20-bed rehabilitation unit, that is dedicated to short term rehabilitation for patients of all ages who have sustained a spinal cord injury with neurological deficit. 

An interdisciplinary team involving medical, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, dietitian and counselling, work with the client and their family to set goals and plan a programme of rehabilitation. This is aimed at the client gaining maximum independence and skills for reintegration into the community prior to their discharge. 

The team works closely with community and provider services such as ACC to ensure client needs are met and discharge planning is well coordinated.

Once a patient is discharged the outpatient service provides lifelong follow-up.

An individual must have an acquired neurological deficit as a result of damage to the spinal cord to be considered for admission to the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit.

Referrals are accepted for newly injured clients from acute hospitals within our catchment area.  Individuals who have had a previous spinal cord injury and develop a complication that requires inpatient management can be referred by their consultant, GP or ACC Case Manager.