Occupational therapy — South Canterbury

To contact occupational therapy services for Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury: 

• phone: 03 687 2256
• fax: 03 687 2259

Occupational therapy reception is at:

Level 2, Timaru Hospital
Queen Street
Timaru

The practical and purposeful activities that allow you to live independently and have a sense of identity are also called 'occupational activities'. These could be essential daily tasks such as self care, work or leisure.

Occupational therapists are skilled professionals who find solutions to everyday problems. This might be with:

• advice on approaching a task differently
• using equipment or assistive technology
• adapting your living or working environment
• finding strategies to reach your chosen goals.

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work across many services, for example the Child Development Service, emergency department, palliative care services and within community teams.

Areas we can help you with include:

• assessments for independent living and daily living tasks, for example showering
• providing assistive equipment, for example shower stools, toilet frames, bed levers
• housing modifications and rail assessments
• wheelchair and seating
• driving assessments
• inpatient and at-home rehabilitation programmes
• healthcare education
• functional and cognitive assessments
• health promotion and lifestyle change
• development of self awareness and self esteem
• work readiness assessments and return-to-work programmes
• communicating with your healthcare provider and community based services.

You can be referred to occupational therapy by your general practitioner or another healthcare provider.

You can also refer yourself (or get a family member to do it) through the Integrated Community Assessment Treatment Team (iCATT), or by calling our reception — phone 03 687 2256.

Integrated Community Assessment Treatment Team (iCATT) — South Canterbury