BAILS TALES - APRIL

In our last BAIL’s Tales we highlighted a visit to Christchurch by our International Advisor, Professor Gerben DeJong who has been co-hosted by the University of Otago and BAIL. His stay with us is now drawing to a close and we have really enjoyed hearing from him at his various engagements here at Burwood and at Christchurch Hospital. He has underscored the importance of working collaboratively in research endeavours, also ensuring rehabilitation ‘adds value’ to the patient’s journey and recovery. He also worked with many of our researchers on an individual basis to help them develop their manuscript writing and research skills and this has been a great opportunity for us. Many of you have met him and he wishes to pass on his gratitude for the warmth and generosity extended to him and his wife Jan during his stay in Christchurch. He loves New Zealand and so we hope to see him back again soon and wish him well as he heads off to the Waitaki Valley for some grape picking before leaving New Zealand at the end of April.

Another highlight during Gerben’s visit was the Alan Clarke Memorial Lecture at the newly re-opened and fabulous Rolleston Lecture Theatre at the Christchurch School of Medicine on 10th April. Professor Richard Siegert from the School of Public Health and Rehabilitation AUT was invited to deliver the lecture. We were thrilled Professor Siegert accepted this invitation as he has connections right back to beginning of BAIL and supported in particular our bi-monthly Research Peer Group meetings by providing the cake! These meetings continue to provide researchers and clinicians opportunities to present and hear about research initiatives in rehabilitation. Following the memorial lecture Professor DeJong was invited to provide some reflections of his stay in New Zealand and we also heard from Dr Carolyn Beaver who is in the final stages of bringing to fruition a book of ‘survivor’ stories initiated by Professor Alan Clarke before his death in 2007. We are thrilled that this book will soon be complete and ready for publication.

Keep warm and well as we head into the winter months and we hope to see you at our next Research Peer Group meeting – look out for your invitation.