In the Emergency Department / Admission & Diagnostic Unit, physiotherapists are available to help make your return home as safe as possible. This may involve assessment of your mobility, provision of equipment and advice / exercises to aid your recovery., If you require ongoing physiotherapy input, your physiotherapist will discuss this with you and refer accordingly.

You may be admitted to a ward that specialises in the type of care you require depending on your condition., When you are admitted to a medical ward, physiotherapists may be involved if your care., If you have had a stroke, or other neurological condition, a physiotherapist may assess you and work with you to make a plan regarding how to best improve your physical condition and level of independence., If you have a respiratory condition, a physiotherapist may be able to assist you to manage your breathlessness or with clearing sputum from your lungs., Regardless of what has brought you to hospital, physiotherapists may also be involved in reviewing your balance, mobility and ability to manage your daily activities., At the end of your time in hospital, your physiotherapist will discuss with you any need for ongoing physiotherapy and you will be referred accordingly.

You may see a physiotherapist prior to your breast or upper abdominal surgery for exercises to aid your recovery. After upper abdominal surgery, there is a risk of developing respiratory complications. A physiotherapist will provide you with educational material and an exercise programme to help minimise the risk. This will include encouraging you to sit in a chair and begin walking short distances as soon as safely possible - often the day of surgery or the day after. If you are having breast surgery, a physiotherapist will provide you with exercises to minimise loss of movement at your shoulder. If you have any questions regarding what you are able to do with your arm on the affected side, your physiotherapist will endeavour to answer them. At the end of your time in hospital, if you require ongoing physiotherapy input, your physiotherapist will discuss who may be best to continue with this input and refer accordingly.

When you are admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or High Dependency Unit (HDU), a physiotherapist may be involved in your care to help minimise your risk of developing complications such as chest infections, joint stiffness or generalised weakness as well as treat conditions as required. This may involve education, positioning, chest physiotherapy exercises for respiratory or musculoskeletal concerns, exercise programmes, sitting out in a chair and progression of your walking. When you leave the ICU or HDU, you may receive ongoing physiotherapy input on one of the hospital wards. At the end of your time in hospital, if you require ongoing physiotherapy input, your physiotherapist will discuss this with you and refer accordingly.

Elective orthopaedic surgery is any planned surgery on your bones or joints. The most common elective surgeries completed at Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā are Total Hip Joint Replacements (THJR) and Total Knee Joint Replacements (TKJR). In addition, surgery on other joints such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist and ankle is completed. Please see the Orthopaedic Services page for further information. Following your surgery, a physiotherapist will see you to get you moving and to ensure your safety in doing so. This may involve education, exercise programmes, progressing the distances you are walking, and ensuring that you are managing basic daily activities prior to discharge. At the end of your time in hospital, if you require ongoing physiotherapy input, your physiotherapist will discuss this with you and refer accordingly.

Orthopaedic trauma is any injury to your bones or joints that occurs accidentally. The most common injuries that are managed at North Shore Hospital are fractured ankles and hips. These are usually managed with surgery, although sometimes surgical intervention is not required. In addition, injuries on other joints such as the shoulder, elbow, knee and pelvis are managed by the Orthopaedic Service. Please see the Orthopaedic Services page for further information. Following your surgery, a physiotherapist will see you to get you moving and to ensure your safety in doing so. This may also involve education, exercise programmes, progressing the distances you are walking, and ensuring that you are managing basic daily activities prior to discharge. This can be challenging as you may not be able to put weight through your arms and/or legs the way you usually would, so you may need to use crutches or a walking frame to compensate. At the end of your time in hospital, if you require ongoing physiotherapy input, your physiotherapist will discuss this with you and refer accordingly.