Spinal cord injury service back home after storms
15 November 2007
During Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week, Hunter New England Health’s Spinal Cord Injury Service (SCIS) is celebrating being back in its home in King Street after being displaced by the June long weekend storms.
Staff from the Spinal Cord Injury Service and current clients of the service will come together to enjoy morning tea, spinal injury trivia and a game of blow darts.
The event is also raising awareness of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week.
The June long weekend storms resulted in major damage to the East Newcastle community health centre building in King Street where the Spinal Cord Injury Service was located.
“Our service lost an enormous amount of resources, including cars and computers and also some pressure relieving equipment which is so vital to the work we do,” Acting Manager of the Spinal Cord Injury Service Kylie Jones said.
The determination of SCIS staff meant that the few resources that were available were mobilised as soon as possible at Hunter New England Health’s Waratah Campus.
“With what resources could be salvaged, SCIS got on with the job and resumed service the following Tuesday.”
Ms Jones said the return of the service to its home in the heart of Newcastle has been a relief following the disruption caused by the June storms, and the homecoming morning tea will be a chance to officially return to the facility.
“Today is an opportunity for SCIS to celebrate its achievements despite recent hardship and a chance to say ‘welcome home’, and it’s extra special because this week is Spinal Injury Awareness Week.”
The SCIS has become a vital contingent in the upkeep of spinal injury care in Newcastle with 69 client cases currently receiving input from its staff.
The SCIS consists of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team and provides comprehensive outpatient and outreach rehabilitation services to clients at various stages of recovery after a spinal cord injury.
Media note: The morning tea will be held at the Spinal Cord Injury Service, King St Newcastle West at 10am, Thursday 15 November.
Contact: Nick Hansen
Phone: 49214918