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By ALEXANDRA SORHAGE The survey of physiotherapists is part of a larger project funded by the Starship Foundation. Rehab for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in NZ A survey of physiotherapists By DR NICHOLAWILSON on post-SDR rehabilitation would be useful. Prior to recent travel restrictions there were a rising number of New Zealand families travelling overseas for SDR operations. This study found that physiotherapists do not feel well-resourced to provide the rehabilitation following this surgery, with considerable variability in the number of therapy sessions provided and supports the need for New Zealand specific guidelines. For more information on CP related research projects from Starship Children’s Hospital see: www.tinyurl.com/mpv7fh7m As part of a larger Starship Foundation funded project looking at Rehabilitation Following Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) in New Zealand, a purpose developed survey of physiotherapists was conducted (July-September 2020). A total of 21 responses were received, five were excluded for incomplete data resulting in 16 responses. Physiotherapists had seen on average 2 (range 1 to 6) children for post-SDR rehabilitation in the last 5 years. The focus for post-SDR therapy sessions was strengthening (n=10), functional activities (n=9) and gait re-training (n=8). Physiotherapists were involved in providing rehabilitation from 1-24 months post-SDR, with wide variation in the frequency of sessions. The majority of responses (n=11) felt their workplace was not adequately resourced to provide required rehabilitation post-SDR, two indicated their workplace was resourced and one response was unsure. All participants indicated that best practice guidelines RESEARCH A project funded by Starship Foundation is currently looking at the impact of respiratory health in young people with Cerebral Palsy in Aotearoa New Zealand. It includes piloting a ‘Respiratory Cerebral Palsy Checklist’ questionnaire, that was developed in Australia, for use by families/whānau to help identify early respiratory risk factors. To date, the project has identified a high burden of respiratory-related illness in children with Cerebral Palsy in Aotearoa New Zealand and evidence of inequities for Māori tamarki/children. The testing of the respiratory checklist is still underway. It is an online questionnaire for people with Cerebral Palsy, aged 0 to 26 years, and their families to complete. It asks questions about sleep, eating, swallowing, and dental health. If you are interested in taking part and live in the Auckland region, go to www.tinyurl. com/4nw4aj9d to complete the questionnaire, email Alexandra: ASorhage@adhb.govt.nz, or use the QR code to go direct to the questionnaire. Respiratory Health in tamariki with CP in NZ