Older Persons, Rehabilitation and Allied Health
Older Persons, Rehabilitation and Allied Health
The Older Persons, Rehabilitation and Allied Health directorate includes services that are provided in inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, and in the community, and in clients’ homes. Specialist support is provided to clinical services at Thames Hospital and the three southern rural hospitals either in person or via Telehealth.
Hospital-based services
- General assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for people 65 years plus or those close in age, interests and characteristics.
- Orthopaedic rehabilitation for people with significant fractures
- Intensive rehabilitation for people 16 years plus who meet set criteria.
- Combined Stroke Service
Acute care for patients with stroke and those stroke patients requiring assessment, treatment and rehabilitation - Geriatrician specialist assessment and treatment for patients referred by a hospital doctor or general practitioner.
- Specialist-led clinics that take a multidisciplinary approach to address issues and conditions of older patients referred by GPs or hospital services
Continuing care facilities
- Two continuing care facilities at Morrinsville (Rhoda Read) and Te Awamutu (Matariki) for long and short term care and convalescence.
Community and home services
- Disability Support Link (DSL)
Needs assessment and coordination (NASC) service for people with disabilities of any age
- Supported Transfer and Accelerated Rehabilitation Team (START)
Intensive in-home rehabilitation to those discharged from hospital, focusing on achieving personal, meaningful goals identified by the patient and their family - Realising Employment through Active Co-ordinated Healthcare (REACH)
Programme to help registered job seekers with health conditions and disabilities to improve their quality of life so they can enjoy the rewards of working if possible.
Allied Health
- Older Persons, Rehabilitation and Allied Health directorate is the "home base” in terms of professional and management reporting for allied health staff at Waikato DHB.
- Allied Health staff support many other services across the DHB as well as being an important part of the Older Persons and Rehabilitation service.
A separate service for older people with mental health conditions comes under Waikato DHB’s Mental Health and Addictions service but operates from the Older Persons and Rehabilitation Building in Hamilton.
Key personnel
Barb Garbutt
Director
Dr Sarah Fowler
Clinical Unit Leader
Referrals are by general practitioners (GPs) or other health specialists.
Older Persons and Rehabilitation
Postal Address
Older Persons and Rehabilitation
Waikato Hospital
Private Bag 3200
Hamilton
Referral Form
OPR Referral Form [PDF, 46 KB]