The Early Discharge Rehabilitation Service (EDRS) aims to promote intensive rehabilitation within your own home to enable you to be as independent as possible within your community.

EDRS is based in Dunedin Hospital, and provides a community based rehabilitation service to patients in their homes and community setting, in the greater Dunedin area.

Our service is provided by a highly skilled interdisciplinary team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Social Workers and  Rehabilitation assistant support staff, and a Psychologist.  Speech and Language Therapy and Geriatrician support are accessed as required. We provide a patient goal-centred focus on encouraging patients to regain and maintain maximum level of function, and allowing them to live independently in their own homes.

Physiotherapists are experts in movement and function.  They review what you need to assist with walking and provide equipment if needed as well as exercises aimed to improve movement, pain, weakness or balance. 

Occupational Therapists are experts in function.  They look at what you do during the day and what might help to achieve things you are struggling with.  They usually see you in your home environment to look at how you manage.

Social Workers provide support for you and your family.  They are able to provide counselling to get through difficult times as well as advice about your rights as a patient.

Nurses in this team are specially trained in conditions affecting older people and may be involved in your follow up to provide practical advice at home and provide feedback to your specialist or GP.

The Psychologist aims to maximise your emotional well-being as you adjust to changes in your physical and/or cognitive functioning, whether the onset of problems is sudden or slowly progressive.  This can be done alongside families/whānau.  

Speech Therapists are experts in problems with speech and communication.  They are also experts in swallowing.

Rehabilitation for you may include:

Assessment: Individual assessments of your everyday activities such as showering, daily household activities and your general mobility and strength.

Goal Setting: Planning goals that are personal to you and will assist to develop an individualised treatment programme to get you back to community living.

Activity and Treatment: Individually tailored therapy sessions to enable you to achieve your potential.

Discharge planning: Education and support for you and your family to help you to be as independent as possible following rehabilitation. Connecting you with applicable agencies who can help you and your family, such as Stroke Foundation, MS Society or Diabetes Society.