DOCUMENT

IN BRIEF SOCIETY SNIPPETS CP REGISTER AND SOCIETY RELATIONSHIP In March the Cerebral Palsy Society welcomed Anna Mackey to the position of Project Manager – Cerebral Palsy Research. Anna reports to Starship Orthopaedics and contracts to the Society. Her role is critical to the establishment of a long-term relationship between the NZ Cerebral Palsy Register and the Society. Anna will develop a working environment between the two that will provide data on the CP population in Aotearoa. She will provide a strategic plan for the future growth of CPS and the NZCP registry for the benefit of the CP population. Anna has a background in paediatric physiotherapy and health research in NZ and the UK. She has been working at Starship Children’s Health with the New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Register since it started, more than five years ago. She has also worked in clinical and project roles within the Paediatric Orthopaedic service and University of Auckland. She is a member of the Cerebral Palsy Clinical Network (Paediatric Society of New Zealand), Physiotherapy New Zealand and the Australasian Academy of Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. AMY HOGAN ELECTED TO AUSACPDM BOARD Please join us in congratulating long-time staff member Amy Hogan who has been elected to the Board of Directors for The Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AusACPDM) . The academy provides multidisciplinary scientific education for health professionals and promotes CLOSURE OF AUCKLAND OFFICE The Cerebral Palsy Society Board and Management have closed the Auckland office. All staff are nowworking from home. The decision was made following the successful running of the organisation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Board Chair Meg Smith says the lockdowns over the past two years proved that services to members could still be provided to a high standard, and with minimal disruption (except for the disruptions that were out of our control, caused by Covid-19). “Ending the lease on the office will generate a significant financial saving for the organisation – which the board and staff look forward to redirecting to members,” Meg says. The office closure doesn’t stop us from catching up face-to- face. We can meet members in Auckland, Manawatū or Christchurch, and in the near future Wellington (where we have, or will have, a staff presence). We’re more than happy to come to a member’s home or meet at a café. Extending our staff presence across various regions will enable us to improve access to in-person services for more members outside of Auckland, including in-person Trike and Total Mobility assessments. We can come to you, or arrange a suitable meeting point to carry these out. You can call us on 0800 503 603 or email us at cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz. All staff are contactable via email or phone: www.tinyurl.com/2p8773u8 excellence in research and best practice clinical care for children and adults with CP and developmental conditions. Amy, who is the Society’s Researcher and Member Support Advisor, is looking forward to collaborating with colleagues internationally to better understand CP and work for change in the community. She’s interested in topics such as pain research, adult experiences of exercise and staying well, Alternative and Augmented Communication (AAC) and establishing resources for diverse types of CP. Congratulations on your appointment Amy. 18 | THE REVIEW MAY–AUG 2022