• 

  Dr Rick Acland

  Rehabilitation Consultant

• 

  Dr Cynthia Bennett

  Clinical Head of Rehabilitation

• 

  Dr Anna Lawrence

  Neuro-urologist

• 

  Dr Bensy Mathew

  Rehabilitation Consultant

• 

  Dr Sureshbabu Subramanian

  Rehabilitation Consultant

• 

  Mr John Tuckey

  Urologist

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.

• 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

• Outpatient Service

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

• 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

• Referral Form (DOCX, 1.2 MB)
• Community Social Services Directory (PDF, 299.9 KB)
• Patient & Family Information Booklet (PDF, 1.2 MB)
• Patient Remote Questionnaire (PDF, 46.7 KB)
  Patient Remote Questionnaire

Visitor Restrictions

All Counties Manukau Health hospital facilities now have a “no visitors” policy in place (during National Alert Level 4) - with only a few exceptions to allow for visitors due to exceptional health and compassionate circumstances.  We know this is a distressing time, and thank you for your patience and understanding.

Exceptional circumstances for visits include supporting a patient who is critically ill, deteriorating or dying, or a parent/guardian who is supporting a young child. At this time, no children under 15 years can visit, and we ask that no food or clothing items for patients are bought into the wards. 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

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 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.

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

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