Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (ASRU) is one of two regional spinal rehabilitation services in New Zealand. ASRU offers both an inpatient and outpatient service.
The Outpatient Service, based at Auckland Spinal Unit offers regular lifelong follow-up for clients once they have been discharged from our inpatient service.
Patients are either reassessed at the Spinal Unit or at Outreach Clinics in their local area, including Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Gisborne, Whangarei etc.
Follow-up will be provided in a variety of ways:
Team Reassessments:
ASRU offers regular multi-disciplinary reviews approximately every 3 years. The multi-disciplinary team includes a Nurse, OT, Physiotherapist and Medical Staff.
The purpose of the reassessment is to answer any questions clients may have and to help problem solve any issues or complications that may have arisen as a result of their spinal cord injury. A report following the reassessment is generated with recommendations that will assist the client, GP, ACC Case Managers and other health professionals.
Medical Appointments:
A client may also see the Medical Team for a medical appointment when a specific issue or complication arises which does not require the involvement of the entire multi-disciplinary team.
Remote Assessment:
Remote reassessments are offered to clients between regular reassessments. A remote assessment provides us with information about a client's current abilities and serves to highlight any issues or difficulties a client is having. The remote assessment is in the form of a questionnaire and is posted to clients. Each questionnaire that is returned is followed up via telephone with a member of our outpatient team. A report is generated with recommendations for the client, GP, ACC Case Managers and other health professionals.
Urology Service:
The ASRU provides an outpatient Urology Service for clients with spinal cord injury. Visiting urologist, John Tuckey, and a urology nursing team, review clients who have been admitted to the ASRU. Clients living outside Auckland may be referred to local urologists for follow-up. Outpatients are seen at the ASRU or at the Manukau Surgery Centre. Referrals from GPs and healthcare professionals can be sent to the ASRU for urology review.
Discipline Specific Assessment & Treatment
Discipline specific outpatient appointments are also offered on site at ASRU.
Our Interdisciplinary Outpatient Team
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
The CNS is part of an interdisciplinary team involved in reassessment appointments and is also available to patients and community healthcare teams for advice on bowel, bladder and skin management.
Counselling
A counselling service is available for outpatients who are requiring support and assistance in managing lifestyle changes. Currently the outpatient counsellor works part time and is available on an appointment basis or via telephone. Clients can self refer or be referred by their ACC Case Manager or other health professional.
Dietitian
It is recognised that individuals who sustain a spinal injury have specific nutritional needs. The spinal dietitian works three days a week at the Spinal Unit providing both inpatient and outpatient services. Spinal patients are referred to the dietitian by the consultant at the Spinal Unit. Home visitation assessments for outpatients living within the Auckland area are available.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a health profession that focuses on assisting people to achieve as much independence, meaning and satisfaction in all aspects of their lives as they are capable of. The Spinal Unit OT service can work with individuals to enable them to carry out their activities of daily living as independently as possible within various environments i.e. work, home and community. The service predominantly works with clients in regards to wheelchair and seating needs, hand assessment, splinting and rehabilitation, assessment of occupational performance and provision of required essential equipment. Clients can be referred for outpatient OT by their GP, ACC Case Manager or other health professional.
Physiotherapy
The outpatient physiotherapy service works with clients to achieve mobility and functional goals. Physiotherapy is available for all clients who live within our catchment area who require specialist input. Those clients who live outside the Auckland region will need to stay in Auckland while attending their sessions. Clients can be referred for outpatient physiotherapy by their GP, ACC Case Manager or other health professional.
Social Work
The outpatient Social Worker is based at Auckland Spinal Unit providing support for both inpatients and outpatients. The outpatient service provides assistance to individuals with a spinal cord injury and their family/whanau who are requiring support, advocacy and information in the community. Currently the outpatient social worker works four days a week and is available on an appointment basis or via telephone. Clients can self refer or be referred by their ACC Case Manager or other community therapist.