$4m Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Opens in Chch

17 June 2013

$4 Million Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Opens in Christchurch

Disability leader, St John of God Hauroa Trust, is opening The Granada Centre, a $4 million facility which stands to become a centre of excellence for therapy and rehabilitation for adults with physical and neurological disabilities.

This Friday, 21 June, will see the opening of The Granada Centre, a $4m facility which stands to become a centre of excellence for therapy and rehabilitation for adults with physical and neurological disability.

The Granada Centre is slated to become an integral component of St John of God Health & Ability Services (Southern). Regional Manager Virginia Spoors says “The opening of The Granada Centre is a significant milestone for our nation’s disability sector. It represents the opportunity for all with disability to live as normal and as independent a life as possible. It affords the possibility for individuals with disability to exercise as much autonomy as they choose over their lifestyle, daily choices and rehabilitation journey”.

The Centre aims to fill a gap in the health market by making available world-class rehabilitation services to the individuals and families in our communities, who otherwise would not have access to the resources necessary to maximise their function, independence and quality of life in the presence of disabilities such as a stroke or brain injury.

Spoors adds, “Our brand of rehabilitation is clear – we believe our role is to support and equip each of our clients with appropriate resources and services which reflect their individual needs and aspirations. We never presume, but rather ask each individual who engages with us where they want to live; with whom they want to live and love; and what they want to be doing? Our job is to then help our clients bring those dreams and desires to fruition”.

The Centre will include expansive clinical spaces, state-of-the-art equipment, and a 570 square metre outdoor sensory courtyard. This courtyard will have kinetic, visual and tactile stimuli, water features, textured pathways and private spaces for quiet reflection.

The previous rehabilitation facility of St John of God Health & Ability Services was demolished in 2011, after it suffered significant earthquake damage. However, with typical Cantabrian ‘can-do’, the allied health team has continue to provide a host of rehabilitation services in three temporary portacabins as well as in the corridors, courtyards and offices of the main building.

Spoors explains “Each square metre of the new facility has been meticulously planned by a cross-functional team including therapists, clinicians, rehabilitation managers, architects, civil engineers and construction managers”.

“The team has taken their collective knowledge, experience and the lessons in innovation learnt in the last two and a half years operating in challenging circumstances, to create a facility which wouldn’t be out of place in cities such as London or New York”.

The Centre will support residents of the adjacent residential service, members of the local community and others throughout the South Island who world-class rehabilitation and therapy services not available in their own communities.

The opening ceremony will be attended by local Members of Parliament, Christchurch City Council representatives, senior leadership from Australasian private healthcare organisation St John of God Health Care, local business people, funders and representatives from the Ministry of Health and Accident Compensation Corporation.

ENDS

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