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Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (ASRU)

Public Service

Description

The Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (ASRU) is a supra-regional spinal injury rehabilitation service which provides comprehensive, interdisciplinary rehabilitation care for people with spinal cord impairment from the central North Island to the Far North.

ASRU is part of Counties Manukau Health and is located at 30 Bairds Road in South Auckland in close proximity to Middlemore Hospital.

ASRU is one of only two supra-regional spinal cord rehabilitation services in New Zealand, the other service being Burwood Spinal Unit at Burwood Hospital in Christchurch.

Our catchment area's southern border extends from Taumarunui, Turangi and across to Wairoa/Gisborne. 

The inpatient unit consists of 20 beds dedicated to short term spinal cord rehabilitation for patients aged 15 and older who have sustained neurological deficits from a spinal cord injury due to trauma/injury or illness.  For more information, see Inpatient Service.

The outpatient service offers lifelong support for clients living in the ASRU supra-regional catchment area.  Patients are either reviewed at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit in Auckland or at an Outreach Clinic in their local region. For more information, see Outpatient Service.

COVID-19 INFORMATION - SPECIAL NOTICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY USERS TO THE GYM

In light of the escalating situation with COVID-19 we have decided to limit the use of the gym to just inpatients and those patients having treatment with a therapist for the time being.  As you are likely aware, the health and wellbeing of all of our patients is a priority.  We need to consider how we can limit risk of exposure to our inpatients and those whom work with them daily.  

Outpatient appointments (where you have an appointment to see a doctor, nurse or therapist) will still go ahead at this time but we ask that you come in on time to avoid prolonged periods sitting in our waiting rooms.

Useful links regarding COVID-19 information for Spinal Cord Injury clients

Parafed - Functional Adaptive Movement Classes available during lockdown

http://www.parafedauckland.co.nz/fam-on-the-move

New Zealand Spinal Cord Injury Registry (NZSCIR) 

The role of the New Zealand Spinal Cord Injury Registry

  • The NZSCIR collects information about people who have had a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) to help improve our understanding of SCI in NZ. This can help improve how we support people with an SCI; how we prevent SCI; and how we can prevent SCI related medical complications.
  • This nationwide registry covers participants with either traumatic or non-traumatic SCI from both supra-regional spinal services in NZ (Auckland and Christchurch).
  • A range of information is collected including age, gender, ethnicity, basic SCI data and where treatment was received. If consent is given, we add details about participants’ treatment, complications, rehabilitation, and medical conditions.
  • We follow consenting participants to see how SCI affects those in the community and what services are needed to ensure ongoing community participation.

Further information

You can join the registry or find more information, reports and our contact details on the NZ Spinal Trust Website www.nzspinaltrust.org.nz

Spinal Consultants

Urology Consultants

Spinal and Outreach Consultants

Consultants

Referral Expectations

Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (ASRU) accepts referrals from services throughout our catchment area.  Clients must have a neurological deficit as a result of damage to the spinal cord through injury, illness or congenital condition to meet the criteria for ASRU services.

ASRU Inpatient Admission Criteria:

  • 15 years and older; 14 years on a case-by-case basis
  • Traumatic and Non-traumatic Spinal Cord Impairment
  • Medically able to participate in up to 3 hours of rehabilitation treatment per day, 5-6 days per week
  • Willing to participate in up to 3 hours of rehabilitation treatment per day, 5-6 days per week
  • Cognitively able to actively participate in rehabilitation (follows 50% of commands)
  • Investigations and surgical treatments complete.
  • Cancer related SCI criteria for admission:
    o Cancer treatment complete
    o Prognosis greater than 6 months, per oncologist/radiation oncologist
    o Patient and family aware of diagnosis and prognosis
    o Medically able to participate in Rehab
    o Will have appropriate discharge destination and supports
    o Chooses to be admitted to ASRU with understanding that a safe and supported discharge, rather than maximal return of function, is the goal.
    o We recognise that Cancer related SCI Rehabilitation may have interruptions due to medical concerns and occasional brief interruptions for investigations and brief treatment, thus the “3 hour per day, 5 days per week” rule does not apply.
    o For those who do not meet criteria for ASRU admission, the ASRU team can assist in the management of SCI related concerns through recommendations regarding equipment and care.
  • Acute or chronic wound care only is not considered criteria for inpatient SCI rehabilitation. Bedrest is not inpatient SCI rehabilitation. Remobilisation through inpatient rehabilitation for a person with SCI, once the wound is healed/near healed (whether post-surgical intervention or healing by secondary intent) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Inpatient ASRU admission for people with SCI after acute medical or surgical hospitalisations will be considered on a case-by-case basis

    • There are two ways of referral to our inpatient and outpatient services:

    1. E-Referrals for Auckland region GPs  only
    2. Website Referral Form for all other referrers. Please complete the form and email with attached pertinent medical history, investigation results and other beneficial documents to  
    3. Contact GP or ACC case co-ordinator for referral, if applicable.

    Acknowledgement of your referral will occur once the referral has been received.  

    For inpatient referrals, once a referral is accepted for ASRU admission, the Admission Coordinator will liaise with the referrer / acute team and identify the expected date of admission and the plan for transfer.

    Services

    • Inpatient Service

      How to refer to Inpatients – click here.
      The Inpatient Unit consists of 20 beds dedicated to short term spinal cord rehabilitation for patients aged 15 and older who have sustained neurological deficits from a spinal cord injury due to trauma, injury or illness. … More PDF

    • Outpatient Service

      The Outpatient Service supports people affected by spinal cord impairment that live in the ASRU catchment area.… More PDF

    • Urology Service

      ASRU provides an outpatient Urology Service for the majority of clients living within the greater Auckland region. … More

    • Dietetic Service

      Food and nutrition plays an important role in the rehabilitation process and long-term health of people with spinal cord injuries.  Immediately following injury significant weight loss and alterations to body composition is common making the person vulnerable to low energy levels and pressure ulcers.… More

    • Nursing

      Nurses are registered health professionals and all hold current registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (statutory authority) which governs the practice of nurses. The Council sets and monitors standards in the interests of the profession.  The Council's primary concern is public safety.… More

    • Occupational Therapy

      What is Occupational Therapy?
      Occupational Therapists are registered health professionals.… More

    • Physiotherapy

      What is Physiotherapy?
      Physiotherapists are registered health professionals and all hold current registration with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand.… More

    • Social Work

      We are a team of qualified social workers who are committed to a practice that reflects an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and adhere to the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and Bi-cultural practice.… More

    • Resources & Links

      Websites & Email Addresses

      Accident Compensation Corporation
      Counties Manukau Health
      Burwood Hospital… More

    • Spinal Support

      Kaleidoscope:
      The Kaleidoscope programme is dedicated to getting people who happen to be living with a disability into jobs that they love.… More

    Document Downloads

    Visiting Hours

    Visiting at Middlemore Hospital is currently only on essential and compassionate grounds, or birthing partners.

    Our priority is to keep our patients safe. 

    We need to manage the number of people coming to our hospitals and other sites.

    Whaanau wishing to visit a patient on compassionate grounds will need to contact the lead clinician in advance.

    Thank you for your support as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19.

    Click here for more information.

    There are some specialised services in the hospital where visiting hours may vary, for example, the Delivery Suite, or Intensive Care Unit. In these cases, signs will be in place with the relevant information. If you are not sure, please feel free to contact us at the numbers listed below:

    • For Information/Visiting Hours: phone (09) 270 4799
    • For Patient Enquiries: phone (09) 276 5004
    • For Tiaho Mai (Acute Mental Health Unit): phone (09) 270 4742

    Travel Directions

    FROM: Middlemore Hospital (MMH) to Auckland Spinal Rehab Unit (ASRU)

    • Turn right out of MMH and continue on HOSPITAL ROAD.
    • Turn Right at lights onto MANGERE ROAD, OTAHUHU
    • Turn Right GREAT SOUTH ROAD, OTAHUHU
    • Turn Left BAIRDS ROAD, OTARA
    • End: Turn left into Auckland Spinal Rehab Unit 30 BAIRDS ROAD OTARA, AUCKLAND.

     

    FROM North

    • Travel along SOUTHERN MOTORWAY
    • Bear Left at HIGHBROOK INTERCHANGE, OTARA, EXIT NUMBER 443
    • Turn Right onto roundabout and follow the MIT, Otara sign.
    • Turn Right at the Bairds Rd lights and continue along the road to the Spinal Unit.
    • End: Turn right into Auckland Spinal Rehab Unit 30 BAIRDS ROAD OTARA AUCKLAND.

    Parking

    Parking and disabled parking is available at both entrances to the spinal unit.  We ask that you do not park in the ambulance parking bay directly in front of the entrance to the ward.  It is preferable that you park behind the physiotherapy gym area. Please keep your car locked and do not leave any valuables in your car. There is a security guard on site during some hours, however Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit is not responsible for stolen or lost property.

    Accommodation

    There are four basic units (one bedroom each) - these are currently not available.

    Other

    Phone, Fax and Internet Facilities

    • Patients may make short, local phone calls using the ward phone.
    • WIFI: free for 1 hour, thereafter paid daily or monthly plans are available.

     

    Local Shopping

    • Bairds Road Bakery
    • Coin Save
    • Domestic & Commercial Laundry
    • Mr Meats
    • Pizza Hut
    • Samoa Finance Money Transfers Limited
    • Vege Oasis
    • Wheels Takeaways

    Website

    www.countiesmanukau.health.nz/

    Contact Details

    30 Bairds Road, Otara

    South Auckland

    30 Bairds Road
    Middlemore
    Manukau
    Auckland 2025

    Information about this location

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    Get directions

    Street Address

    30 Bairds Road
    Middlemore
    Manukau
    Auckland 2025

    Postal Address

    Private Bag 93319
    Otahuhu
    Auckland 1640

    This page was last updated at 12:40PM on August 13, 2020. This information is reviewed and edited by Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (ASRU).