Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function following injury or illness. Physiotherapists help people move and participate in life and in their communities, especially when movement and function are threatened by ageing, injury, disability or disease.
Physiotherapists are involved in health promotion, injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
Physiotherapists work in many services across our DHB.
We provide physiotherapy to inpatients and outpatients at Wellington Regional and Kenepuru Community hospitals as well as care in the community.
After assessing your potential for movement and function, a physiotherapist will establish (together with you, your whānau/family and caregivers) treatment designed to restore or develop that potential, and then maintain it.
Inpatient Physiotherapy
Inpatient physiotherapy services are provided across a wide range of clinical areas at Wellington Regional Hospital and Kenepuru Community Hospital where physiotherapists are work closely alongside nurses, doctors and other health professionals.
Inpatient physiotherapists work with people in hospital to:
- maximise physical function
- help people to self-manage their conditions
- ensure safe discharge back home or to community support providers.
Some patients may also requite ongoing physiotherapy after leaving hospital.
Outpatient Physiotherapy
Outpatient physiotherapy is provided in the Therapies Outpatient Departments at Wellington Regional Hospital, Kenepuru Community Hospital and the Kāpiti Health Centre.
The outpatient team provide
- Musculoskeletal therapy
This is a general physiotherapy outpatient service for adults with any disorder affecting the bones and muscles of the body. This may occur after surgery, injury or illness, arthritic conditions, broken bones and pain conditions. Physiotherapy aims to help you regain and maintain usual function.
- Hip and knee classes
These classes are for people following a hip or knee joint replacement to assist them with regaining movement, strength and endurance.
- Back classes
These are classes for people with back problems that have been assessed and will respond well to movement and exercise. These groups are guided by physiotherapists to assist people reduce fear of movement and regain function
- Cardiac rehabilitation classes
These classes are for people who are referred following a cardiac event. You will have been referred by a health professional. These classes are a combination of education and exercise and can be held at either one of our hospital bases or off site in the community.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation classes
These classes are for people who are referred by a health professional as they have a chronic respiratory condition. You will be assessed by a specialty nurse and physiotherapists at your first and last appointment so that they can understand your health status and exercise tolerance. These classes are a combination of education and exercise and can be held at either one of our hospital bases or off site in the community.
- Paediatric physiotherapy
This is a physiotherapy outpatient service for babies/toddlers/children with any disorder affecting the bones and muscles of the body. This may occur after surgery, injury or illness, broken bones and pain conditions. Physiotherapy aims to help you regain and maintain usual function.
- Pelvis Heath physiotherapy
Obstetric patients may access inpatient or outpatient services to assist them with complications of pregnancy where physio is particularly effective e.g. pelvic arthropathies.
There is an outpatient continence service for clients of either sex or any age with conditions affecting normal bladder and bowel function.
There are groups offered for pelvic health conditions that are well suited to a group approach.
Hydrotherapy is a treatment modality that is sometimes indicated to assist with pain management during preganancy but is not suitable for everyone. A physiotherapist will need to assess and determine if this is appropriate for you.
- Neurology physiotherapy
This is a physiotherapy outpatient service for adults with a neurological condition (eg Parkinsons, MS, and stroke) or a vestibular dysfunction. Physiotherapy aims to help you regain and maintain usual function.
- Respiratory physiotherapy
This is physiotherapy outpatient service for adults with respiratory conditions e.g. Bronchiectasis or dysfunctional breathing patterns
- Hand therapy
Hand Therapists are registered Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who are specialised in assessing and treating injury and non-injury related conditions of the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow.
Community Physiotherapy
If you can’t attend an outpatient clinic we can visit you at home. Community physiotherapists work out of Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals and the Kāpiti Health Centre. They work closely with other clinicians within the community health teams, including District Nurses and Occupational Therapists.
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