The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service (BIRS) is a 12 bed inpatient ward that provides comprehensive rehabilitation for people aged 16 - 65 with the following conditions:

• Acquired brain injury e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury, hypoxic brain injury
• Neurological conditions e.g. Multiple Sclerosis,
• Huntington's Disease
• The service also provides carer relief or respite care.

The philosophy, vision and mission statements of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service are aligned with the Canterbury District Health Board's values to care and respect for others, integrity in all we do and responsibility for outcomes.

Philosophy

Together facilitating empowered living

Vision

To be a collaborative specialist service which delivers quality neuro-rehabilitation.

Mission Statement

• Life
• Independence
• Functional Ability
• Empowerment
• "To be the best that I can be"

Team

The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service team consists of:

• Medical team: Medical Officer (MO) and Registrar
• Neurosurgeon, Rehabilitation Consultant
• Rehabilitation Nursing
• Clinical Psychology
• Social Work
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Language Therapy
• Recreation Officer
• Māori Health Liaison
• Nutrition
• Secretarial

The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service uses an Interdisciplinary Team approach.

The patient is the central focus of the team and is involved as a team member with goal setting, family meetings, etc. Families and carers are encouraged to participate when practical and are provided with support and education from the Interdisciplinary Team.

Collaborative practice is an important aspect of the Interdisciplinary Team function. It is facilitated by daily and weekly team meetings within office areas based in the ward and joint therapy sessions when indicated.

The weekly Interdisciplinary Team meeting ensures the communication of assessments, goal setting and the completion of patient's rehabilitation plans to provide optimal care.

By working together and with the patient optimal outcomes are achieved.

Features of the service include:

• Quiet Room with a courtyard for high dependency patients
• Access to therapy facilities
• Gymnasium and pool facilities
• Workshop amenities
• Garden area for rehabilitation and recreation
• Access to community facilities and organisations
• Comfortable family lounge areas
• Car parking space close to the ward

Outpatient Service

The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service offers an outpatients service.

The outpatient service provides 1:1 sessions, group therapy and hydrotherapy for Ministry of Health patients and ACC Concussion Clinic.

The Concussion Clinic is an early intervention service funded by ACC providing assessment and intervention for people with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) including those with post Concussion Syndrome (PCS).

The Outpatient team consists of:

• Medical Specialist
• Neuropsychologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Social Workers
• Rehabilitation Nursing
• Secretarial

Useful information

Recovering from Concussion (PDF)

Stroke Foundation ph: 381 8500 email: southern@stroke.org.nz
Burwood Hospital
Allan Bean Centre
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Accident and Compensation Corporation (ACC)
Ministry of Health (MOH)