New investment to grow the physiotherapy workforce, announced by Simeon Brown, Minister of Health at Wairarapa Hospital today, will ensure better access and shorter wait times for orthopaedic patients in Wairarapa.
“It’s fantastic news for the people of Wairarapa that a full-time, experienced physiotherapist will now be on hand to assess and treat patients with orthopaedic concerns.”
“This will play an important role in helping orthopaedic patients get the specialist care they need sooner, while also addressing the waitlists. I’m delighted for local patients who will benefit from this important addition to the Wairarapa Hospital clinical team.”
“It was also a pleasure to welcome the Minister of Health back to Wairarapa Hospital today and to spend time with the dedicated staff who do such an outstanding job.”
“The Government is working hard to address health challenges in the area, particularly with the growing demands of an ageing population. While I know there’s still more work to do, it’s reassuring to know our region has such skilled and committed health professionals on the frontline.”
The new musculoskeletal orthopaedic pathway, introduced in August 2024, is already making a real difference enabling experienced physiotherapists to assess and treat patients with hip, knee, back, or shoulder conditions. Patients are triaged earlier and receive a faster diagnosis, with these physiotherapists able to identify whether surgical or non-surgical treatment is required.