Assessment, treatment and rehabilitation — Nelson Marlborough

The assessment, treatment and rehabilitation unit at Nelson Hospital and Wairau Hospital is an adult inpatient rehabilitation unit. It also provides an outpatient and community rehabilitation service.

Contact us

Nelson Hospital

Tipahi Street
Nelson 7010
Phone: 03 546 1800

Wairau Hospital

Hospital Road
Blenheim 7201
Phone: 03 520 9999

Services we provide

The assessment, treatment and rehabilitation unit provides rehabilitation to adults who may need time and support to achieve independence after:

  • a stroke
  • fracture
  • major surgery.

We also provide rehabilitation for people recovering from an exacerbation of chronic conditions such as:

  • Parkinson's disease
  • multiple sclerosis.

You are expected to do as much for yourself as possible but the nurses and therapists are there to support you with daily activities.

You may be asked to attend hydrotherapy or our breakfast club, as well as using the gym facilities.

Information for your hydrotherapy visit (internal link)

Inpatient service

We have a purpose-built unit comprising of a mix of single and double rooms. People are accommodated into these to best meet their individual needs.

Outpatient service

Our outpatient service is generally for physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. It is provided in our gym and pool close to the unit.

Physiotherapy — Nelson Marlborough (internal link)

Community service

Our community service is provided by the therapist, doctor or nurse and is delivered in your home. This may be:

  • following a referral from your healthcare provider (without a need for an inpatient admission)
  • after you are discharged from an inpatient admission.
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Your stay will depend on how well you are, how quickly you begin to improve and what level of support you need on discharge.

The average length of stay is 2 weeks. Sometimes people need to stay longer, particularly when recovering from a significant stroke.

What to expect

Our service has a focus on wellness.

  • People are encouraged to wear their normal day clothes each day.
  • Bring comfortable clothing and snug-fitting non-slip shoes or slippers. If these are not available when you are admitted you can have them delivered to the ward.
  • Speak to your nurse if you are not sure what clothing is suitable for your current condition.

The ward does not have a patient laundry – whānau are asked to help with this. Speak to your nurse if you do not have anyone available to help you.

You are encouraged to have their meals in the dining room. If you do not want to eat in the dining room, let your nurse know.

Facilities and what to bring

An outdoor area is available for people, including whānau, to socialise in. Pets are welcome to visit if you are in a single room or in the outdoor area. Speak to the nurse in charge to organise this.

Most single rooms have a TV. Double rooms are not able to have a TV as this can disturb your roommate.

You can bring your own device such as a radio or iPad. If you are in a double room we ask that you use headphones so you do not disturb your roommate.

Let your nurse or therapist know if it is important to you that:

  • your whānau are involved in your rehabilitation
  • you wish for them to stay with you overnight.

Visiting is preferred outside of:

  • rehabilitation therapy sessions (unless the visitor is involved in the session)
  • meals times
  • rest periods.

We ask that you respect this. Patients can be very tired and need rest to aid their recovery.

We do appreciate this is not always possible for whānau, so speak to the nurse in charge to arrange visiting during these times if required.