Occupational Therapy
Involves working with clients both in the hospital and varied community/outpatient settings. Occupational Therapists promote and maintain the highest level of independent functioning for people of any age with physical, and/or psychosocial issues. Working as an integral part of the dedicated team of health professionals they are committed to promoting optimal quality of life for the people of Te Tairawhiti.
Physiotherapy
The Physiotherapy Service is available for inpatients, outpatients and community patients. Comprehensive assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services are provided: this includes after hours on-call and weekend service for Inpatients.
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District Nursing Service
The District Nurses team provides a community nursing serviceseven days a week from 8am to 8pm. Additionally, a wound management outpatient clinic operates on the campusseven days a week; with both services operating on reduced hours in the weekends. District Nursing has a continence assessment clinic once a week. Within the team there are several specialist roles; breast care/oncology, stoma and continence and chronic wound management with additional services provided in the areas of oxygen supplies and education, home IV service, urology clinics, clinical supplies, and Palliative Care Nursing. The coverage area includes Gisborne City and extends from Ormond to the Waipaoa Bridge and then as far north as Makarori.
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Social Work
Two full-time social workers assist patients and their families with any problems associated with hospitalisation and their discharge; in particular people who require alternative care. The social workers are a source of information and can help in many areas, including the patient and his/her family's ability to manage in the home following hospitalisation and/or significant change in their well being. Some patient/family issues dealt with include housing; family issues; community services; finances; care and support; domestic violence; grief; emotional trauma; care and protection.
They work as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the hospital but they are also available to respond to referrals from community sources, e.g. general practitioners, service providers, rest homes, family members and helping agencies.
The social work role involves:
- Assessment
an evaluation of patient and family/whanau's physical, psychological, social and financial resources for discharge planning.
- Co-ordination
activities concerned with exchanging information with hospital personnel and/or the patients and family in order to facilitate discharge planning.
- Supportive Counselling
provision of information and intervention to bring about changes in patients' attitudes, behaviour, feelings or activities.
- Networking and Liaison
activities focused on obtaining services for patients and families within the community after discharge
Patients are encouraged and enabled to make informed decisions. They are given help and support to clarify issues, to express their concerns and to understand their rights according to Tairawhiti District Health policies.
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Speech Language Therapy
A Speech Language Therapist provides assessment and treatment services for people with communication and/or swallowing difficulties. Predominantly this is for adults either as an inpatient, outpatient or community service however a limited service is also provided for the acute inpatient paediatric service.
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Orthotics
The Orthotics service provides orthoses by prescription from specialists (both private and public) and by referral from general practitioners and private physiotherapists.The range of orthoses provided is extensive and includes: tennis elbow wraps, wrist splints, range-of-motion knee braces, spinal supports, shoulder arm systems, ankle foot orthoses, made to measure footwear and footwear alterations. Other services include aids and appliances for general patient comfort.
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