Older Persons and Rehabilitation Services

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Our Older Person and Rehabilitation Services (OP and RS) are entering an exciting period of expansion and development. Below, clinical director Dr Phil Wood explains what’s happening now and in the future to make this a ‘state of the art’ service in a brand new facility. Overview of current services and facilities Overview of opportunities for resident medical officers Photo: Dr Phil Wood

OP and RS Strategic PlanOP and RS Operational PlanOP and RS organisation chart

Looking to the future – new facility plus service developments

Our aim is to develop 'state of the art' services for our elders and those who need rehabilitation, helping them in the right place at the right time with the right people.

To achieve this we are building a major new assessment, treatment and rehabilitation facility (known as the ‘hub’) right across the road from the main Waikato Hospital campus.

This will be a purpose-built space for assessment and rehabilitation teams to work in the most efficient way possible. It will allow for seamless provision of:

• services for older adults: inpatients, assessment-treatment-rehabilitation, and outpatients
  
  
• mental health services for older people
  
  
• organised stroke services including acute stroke service
  
  
• rehabilitation services for <65 year olds.
  

The hub will have 113 beds. Significant outdoor areas and courtyard space are both part of the plans. Construction also includes a bridge over Pembroke Street to link the building with the main Waikato Hospital.

Construction is planned to start in early 2010 for a late 2011 opening.

This hub will allow more cooperation among the contributing specialties of psychiatry, orthopaedics, adult medicine/neurology (stroke), and surgery.

The ‘rubbing of shoulders’ in the workplace and the culture of rehabilitation is associated with better outcomes and shorter lengths of stay.

This hub will be a flagship for such services in New Zealand, and possibly in Australasia.

Photo: Architect's impression of the new hub building.

Service developments

The new facility will be fantastic, but service development is just as important as bricks and mortar.

Service developments already happening include:

• Memory Clinic
• Orthogeriatrics Rehabilitation Service
• Early Supportive Discharge Service.
  

New services are planned, such as

• supported transfer and accelerated rehabilitation teams (due in mid 2010) and home-based therapies
• improved collaboration for outpatient services, such as falls and ‘funny turns’ clinics
• and making the most of the existing outpatient facilities such as the Memory Service.
  

These services will be tailored to suit the Waikato and the Midland region, and use the existing experience of home hospital and hospital-based assessment staff.

There are exciting new opportunities to research and develop, such as community-based support teams (clusters) of staff nestled in primary practice.

Research and training options for all members of staff will be encouraged, including unique training opportunities focussing on such things as adult rehabilitation, organised stroke services. 

Overview of current services and facilities

The Older Person and Rehabilitation Services provide interdisciplinary assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services for older persons plus rehabilitation services for adults (>16 years and <65 years). Physicians lead interdisciplinary teams in geriatric medicine and rehabilitation covering inpatient, outpatient and community-based services, including: Waikato Hospital –  Ward 58 and Organised Stroke Service (total 39 beds) Thames Hospital – 10 beds Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre – 11 psycho geriatric beds Matariki and Rhoda Read – continuing care facilities with up to 8 beds Te Kuiti, Taumarunui and Tokoroa rural hospitals – up to 6 beds Phoenix House - ongoing rehabilitation for <65 years olds Home Hospital – 12 beds Disability Support Link (DSL) – community-based service for people with disabilities.

Physicians lead interdisciplinary teams in geriatric medicine and rehabilitation. There are five consultant physicians attached to this service. Resident medical staff includes four registrars, four house officers and one senior house officer.

Overview of opportunities for resident medical officers (RMOs)

Resident medical officers gain experience in dealing with a broad range of conditions and are important members of interdisciplinary team.

We provide excellent opportunity for resident medical officers to practise medicine in the Older Persons and Rehabilitation Services’ community-based and home-based settings.

Resident medical officers also have the opportunity of seeing new GP referred patients to outpatient clinics and do this work under the supervision of consultant physicians.

Resident medical officers work in the Older Persons and Rehabilitaton Service for a period of three months and rotate with other sub-specialities of medicine.  For those who are interested, longer periods of appointment will be available. This area of medicine is as an excellent training ground for those wishing to pursue GP training.

Teaching programmes include weekly rehabilitation education meetings, grand rounds, medical unit case presentations, trainee lectures and radiology sessions.