Spinal services in Palmerston North, Taranaki, Whanganui, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa

Kia ora! This is an introduction to the people and the places we support in the Central and Lower North Island regions (we have a separate Wellington Region page here). We support clients with spinal injury and impairment on their journey from the specialist spinal unit, during their transition home and then to provide ongoing care and support in their home and community. 

Community

NZ Spinal Trust

Access is proud to be the exclusive partner of the New Zealand Spinal Trust’s Whānau Peer Support programme.

NZST empowers people with spinal cord impairments and their whānau to build strong futures through support, information, and connection. Their Peer and Whānau Support team offers lived-experience guidance to those navigating life after a spinal injury.

At Access, we’re committed to this kaupapa. Our support workers and nurses assist tāngata with spinal injuries across Aotearoa, and we match donations to NZST’s annual appeal dollar for dollar, up to $25,000

Spinal Support NZ

Spinal Support NZ is a valued Access partner, providing peer support to people with spinal injury or impairment — both in hospital and in the community. Our sponsorship helps them continue this important mahi, offering connection, encouragement, and lived experience to those navigating life after injury.

We also help sponsor Spinal Gatherings across the motu — regional events that bring people together to share information, build relationships, and strengthen community.

Welcome to our Regional Team

Wherever home is, you can rest assured you will have a highly skilled and responsive team to work with to suit your individual needs. This is a brief introduction to some of  the people responsible for your care.

Karen Wilton, our Regional Manager

Oversees the delivery of safe, high-quality, and person-centered support services across our region which includes Taranaki, Lower North Island and Central Hawkes Bay.  Karen supports our mission to help people live independently and thrive in their own homes and communities, while developing our workforce and fostering a positive values-based workplace culture. She will be your contact for urgent afterhours issues.  

Megan, our Regional Clinical Manager

Has extensive nursing experience in both hospital and community settings and she oversees a multidisciplinary team of registered nurses and clinical professionals, maintaining high standards of clinical safety and quality. Megan works in close partnership with Health New Zealand, ACC, and community agencies to facilitate seamless transitions of care from hospital to home and actively promotes culturally safe and inclusive care practices, particularly for Māori and Pasifika communities. 

Lynn James, our ACC Clinical Services Manager

Holds a varied role and is a key early contact for all our clients, from the Burwood Spinal Unit onwards.  Having worked at Burwood for 18 years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Lynn has a good understanding of the challenges you have worked through.  Lynn works around the country for Access facilitating spinal cord injury training, supporting transitions home (including travelling with clients when needed) and ensuring a thorough handover to a well-trained and confident local team. Lynn remains available to clients throughout their time with Access.