Therapies - General Information

Services

Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement. The primary focus of physiotherapy is to help people to gain maximum movement, improve their independence, regain fitness and relieve pain. Physiotherapy treatment may involve the use of manual therapy, movement retraining, exercise prescription, education and advice, as well as the application of physical and electrophysical agents. Self-management is emphasised with a focus as much on healthy living as on prevention of physical problems following illness or injury. Wherever possible early intervention is highly desirable to minimise disabling effects of disease, injury, or disuse. Physiotherapists are also responsible for assessment and the issue of mobility equipment required by people for use in their own homes.
Occupational Therapy: "Occupational Therapy is a profession that enables people to lead meaningful and satisfactory lives through participation in occupation." (NZAOT, 2001)
Speech-Language Therapy: "A (speech-language therapist’s) central involvement is in the prevention, assessment, intervention, management and scientific study of disorders of human communication. Human communication, in this context, comprises all those processes and functions associated with the production of speech and with the comprehension and production of oral and written language, as well as non-vocal communication. The (speech-language therapist’s) role has latterly expanded to include work with people with swallowing and feeding disorders (dysphagia)" (International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, 1995).
Social Work: Social workers in the Therapies Service provide a range of services to those affected by illness, surgery, trauma or disability, and deal with psychosocial issues, which arise as a result of a person’s diagnosis, illness or treatment.
Dietetics: Dietetics is the science of applying food and nutrition knowledge to assist in the prevention and treatment of illnesses. Clinical dietitians provide nutritional services to inpatients, outpatients and patients in a community setting. They assess patients nutritional needs, develop and implement nutrition care plans by counselling and educating patients and their families/caregivers and then evaluating progress and reporting results.