NZSCIR – Background and Governance
NZ Spinal Cord Injury Registry
The need for the NZSCIR was first suggested in 1968 by the founder of the Burwood Spinal Unit, Mr. Bill Utley. As part of the NZ SCI Action Plan 2014-2019, the Burwood Spinal Unit and Burwood Academy Trust (BAT) completed a study to determine the best registry for NZ. Canada’s Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR) was selected and the NZSCIR was launched on 1st August, 2016. As the first international site of the RHSCIR, NZSCIR continues to collaborate with Canada’s Praxis Spinal Cord Institute (formerly the Rick Hansen Institute). We are extremely grateful for their generous work and support in establishing and maintaining the NZSCIR. Without the partnership with the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, NZ would not have the NZSCIR.
Governance
The NZSCIR is jointly funded by Accident Compensation Commission (ACC) in association with Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau & Waitaha Canterbury.
The Governance Group consists of clinicians, funders, service management, researchers, and consumers. Current group members:
Dr. Chris Howard-Brown, Governance Group Chair
Mr. Raj Singhal. Clinical Director, Burwood Spinal Unit
Dr. Sureshbabu Sabramanian. Consultant, Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit
Dr. Jennifer Dunn. Researcher, University of Otago; Physiotherapist
Heather Robertson. Service Manager, Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau
Julie Wilson, ACC
Mr. Alpesh Patel, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau
Mr. Rowan Schouten, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury
Pieta Bouma, Person with Lived Experience
Leah Young, Service Manager, Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit
Liz Oliver, Service Manager, Burwood Spinal Unit
Suzanne Humphreys, Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, Canada
Ex-officio members:
Tracey Croot, NZSCIR Coordinator, Burwood Spinal Unit.
Greta Minty, NZSCIR Coordinator, Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit
Christine Mangold, NZSCIR Coordinator, Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit.
Alana Lash, NZSCIR Coordinator, Burwood Spinal Unit.
