We work across a wide range of areas within the Canterbury healthcare system: acute, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation and community, and across a number of different services: neurology, ENT, stroke, general medicine and paediatrics. New graduates rotate across this broad range, consolidating their skills; while more experienced staff have the opportunity to either maintain that diversity or specialise.
The range of work and the depth makes for very satisfying work. We are involved in assessment and treatment of both dysphagia and communications disorders and have access to the right equipment and technology to assist us in our work.
We are proud of winning the 2009 Canterbury DHB Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards innovation and quality award for implementing the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Programme for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Our project of having staff working in the Psychiatric Services for the Elderly has been a huge success and we are hoping to build on this great work.
We’re currently involved in applying for a research grant for changing practices in dysphagia.
Te Whatu Ora Waitaha management are very supportive of implementing innovative evidence-based practice. We are also looking at the development of a research/clinical role to better embed evidence-based research into clinical practice.
If being involved in research, clinical education and working at a regional level (we support people from around the South Island) sounds like heaven to you, then Canterbury.
Not registered in New Zealand? Check out www.speechtherapy.org.nz/
