• 

  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 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 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, 374.8 KB)
• Patient Remote Questionnaire (PDF, 46.7 KB)
  Patient Remote Questionnaire

Visitors are welcome at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit between:

• 11.00 am – 8.00 pm Monday to Sunday (unless other arrangements have been made with the Charge Nurse).

The outer door locks automatically at 8pm and visitors after that time will be discouraged.

We ask all visitors to respect visiting hours and to ensure that children, for their safety and the safety of our patients, are under adult supervision at all times.

We are aware that visits from family and friends have an important part to play in rehabilitation.  However, medical conditions or the rehabilitation programme may alter the availability of visiting times.  It is important to respect the privacy of the person you would like to visit as well as other ASRU rehabilitation patients. 

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) available on a first come, first serve basis on site. These are used short term for family and friends visiting from out of Auckland and inpatients trialling overnight home leave. First priority is given to trial home leave needs.

The units are provided with basic linen needs and there is a laundry room adjacent to the units. It is recommended that you provide extra blankets/bedding as needed.

Accommodation units are not supplied with tea, coffee, milk and laundry powder etc. There is a shopping complex next to the Spinal Rehab Unit.

Due to high usage of the units, a maximum 2 weeks stay has been put in place with review after this time. There can be no guarantee of continued use of units beyond this timeframe or during busy periods.

Before booking the units please feel free to inspect for suitability for you and/or your family. We can also recommend local motels close to the Spinal Unit.

• Cost of units: $57.60 incl GST per night per unit
• Full payment is required on arrival
• Cash and cheque payments only
• No credit card or EFTPOS available

*NOTE: Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) assistance requires prior authorisation before you book into the units. Payment is not guaranteed, and is limited to 2 nights per week.

For bookings and enquires please ask to speak with our ward clerk, or speak to a unit social worker. For further details phone (09) 270 9000.

Hours for Booking Units – Monday to Friday 8am to 3.30pm

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