Depending on the reason for admission to a medical ward, you may require input from any of the allied health professions. Our goal is to assist you in returning to the best level of function possible.

For a period following surgery, you may have difficulty managing your normal daily activities. The allied health team is here to assist in helping you adapt as well as possible through: education on how to adjust, equipment to make tasks such as showering more manageable, or sourcing services for assisting with housework etc where indicated.

Whether you are having planned surgery such as a hip or knee replacement or you break a bone and need to be admitted to hospital, the allied health team will assist you in managing the difficulties that arise. This may be learning how to manage as independently as possible, being provided with information about services available in the community or receiving support to deal with a new and challenging injury.

Social Work, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy are available to assist in making your return home from the Emergency Department as safe as possible. If other services are required, they can be organised on a case-by-case basis.

At times of serious illness that require admission to the ICU/HDU, the Allied Health team is available to provide support and input to maximise your or a family/ whānau member's return to health. This can be a traumatic experience for all involved and a social worker can support you through this process. Physiotherapists will assist in managing difficulties with your breathing and keeping your body moving as much as possible. If you remain in either unit for an extended period of time, then you may require input from an Occupational Therapist or a Speech Language Therapist. This input can be organised on a case-by-case basis.

Allied Health services will be provided in a setting most appropriate for service delivery and will include (but not limited to) considerations such as cultural appropriateness, accessibility, the most effective and efficient use of resources, and where the best outcomes will be achieved. Entry Criteria The Service Users are those eligible people who meet one or more of the following criteria: require allied health services to improve their health status; without allied health services they are at risk of further deterioration in their personal health status; have a disability and their functional ability is compromised or at risk of deterioration; are residents* living in residential homes/ care facilities - they are eligible for allied health services, supplies and equipment under the same criteria as people living in their own homes, if these services are not funded through another service specification; are residents of aged related residential care facilities - they are eligible for allied health assessment and rehabilitation services including assessment for, and advice on, individualised customised equipment; but not for delivery of maintenance or on-going treatment, supplies or provision of non-customised equipment; require Allied Health Services assessment for necessary equipment or housing modifications to facilitate their discharge from hospital; are assessed as having a need for Allied Health Services following their discharge from a hospital. * includes people with intellectual and/ or physical disabilities, or mental illness and addictions.

The Allied Health services listed above relate to service for adults with physical health conditions. If Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Language Therapy or Social Work is required for patients in Mental Health, Maternity Services or Paediatrics, then please contact the relevant departments.