Released 18/09/2017
UC Hospital’s new Rehabilitation Courtyard was revealed for the first time today as the facility moves towards its official opening in mid-2018.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said the infrastructure being built into the courtyard would assist the physical rehabilitation of Canberra patients in their day-to-day lives.
“The Rehabilitation Courtyard is a purpose-built, therapeutic environment designed to provide patients access to real-life settings which will develop the skills required to integrate back into our community,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“This courtyard will support recovery by re-training patients in day-to-day activities and functional skills, like gardening, hanging washing, using ramps and steps, mobilising over different surfaces and negotiating curbs.
“The courtyard also features a motionless car, generously donated by Volkswagen Group Australia, which patients can practice climbing in and out of.”
As Canberra’s first purpose-built rehabilitation hospital, patients will have access an array of therapeutic features, including therapy gyms, a hydrotherapy pool, outdoor therapeutic and recreational spaces and dedicated therapy spaces to promote independence in daily living.
A suite of health professionals, such as Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Therapists and Allied Health Assistants amongst others will support the recovery of Canberrans who are rehabilitating from illness or injury.
“The hospital will be a place of training for current and future students studying health-related fields, focusing on rehabilitation, recovery and research where they will get hands-on, practical experience.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank Volkswagen Group Australia and Peter Munday, Dealer Principal at Lennock Volkswagen in Phillip, who, through the Canberra Hospital Foundation donated a Volkswagen Passat for the courtyard,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“This generous contribution will make a positive impact for patient recovering.”
For further information about UC’s Hospital visit: www.health.act.gov.au/ucph.
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Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases