Brain injury rehabilitation returns to Canterbury
From July 2026, specialist residential rehabilitation for adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury returns to Canterbury.
The Granada Rehabilitation Centre at St John of God Hauora Trust’s Halswell facility will commence a specialist Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) residential rehabilitation service, funded by ACC and delivered through Hauora Ability Services.
Closer to home, closer to whānau
A dedicated space within the Halswell facility has been reconfigured specifically for early-stage TBI recovery. The environment features quiet single rooms, a rehabilitation gym, an in-house Allied Health team, dedicated living space, and onsite outdoor gardens.
The service is designed to allow people recovering from brain injury to do so closer to their whānau and natural supports, a factor the clinical team identifies as central to successful rehabilitation.
“Returning this service to Canterbury matters deeply for people affected by traumatic brain injury and their whānau. It means people can now recover closer to home, with their whānau beside them and their natural supports connected, in an environment tailored for specialist rehabilitation. We know that connection to whānau and natural supports is central to successful rehabilitation. We are privileged to commence this service, supporting people every step of their rehabilitation journey.”
Sarah Hillier, Chief Executive, St John of God Hauora Trust
A multidisciplinary clinical team
The TBI service brings together a full multidisciplinary rehabilitation team at the one location, including rehabilitation nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, medical oversight, and social work.
The service will build on established links with specialist rehabilitation teams at Burwood Hospital and coordinate closely with Acute Care Services at Christchurch Hospital.
“Early access to specialist, intensive rehabilitation is one of the most important factors in long-term recovery from a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Bringing this service back to Canterbury means we can work with people, their whānau and their referring clinicians from the earliest point, with a team built around the person and their goals. The aim is always to support people to return to life in their own community.”
Dr Raj Singhal, Specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine, Traumatic Brain Injury Residential Rehabilitation Canterbury
About The Granada Rehabilitation Centre
The Granada Rehabilitation Centre is located at the Trust’s Halswell site, a 60-room residential service for adults with complex physical disability and rehabilitation needs. The new TBI service supports adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury requiring 24-hour residential specialist rehabilitation before transitioning to community-based supports.
Hauora Ability Services operates residential and rehabilitation services across Canterbury and Wellington. For referral enquiries, contact Hauora Ability Services via our referral page.