Spinal Cord Injury Education Series

Supporting Health & Wellbeing following SCI - Tamworth

Wednesday 6 May 2026 8:30 AM - 3:15 PM (UTC+11)

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WHY ATTEND?
A unique opportunity to build both your practical skills and your clinical understanding as you learn from multidisciplinary presenters from the NSW State Spinal Outreach Service.

The clinicians of the Spinal Outreach Service will share:
• An overview of spinal cord injury, with presentations that will give you an understanding of changes to the body and function following a spinal cord injury,
• Health and wellbeing considerations for clinicians supporting people with spinal injuries,
• Practical, discipline-specific, hands-on sessions.

COST:
$125 (includes workshops, training notes and catered lunch and morning tea)


FURTHER DETAILS ON SESSIONS:

SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION TO SPINAL CORD INJURY FOR CLINICIANS: IMPACT ON BODILY FUNCTIONS & STRUCTURES
Presented by Dr Laurie Findlay (Staff Specialist, NSW Spinal Outreach Service)

In this session we will look at some of the primary impacts of spinal cord injury (SCI) on the body and its functions, with a focus on understanding the changes, promoting positive health and understanding red flags for complications.

SESSION 1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Understanding the anatomy, aetiology and medical terminology in spinal cord injury.
2. Understanding bodily systems that may be affected after SCI, with specific focus on motor changes, sensory changes, and alteration to body functions and autonomic function.
3. Supporting the maintenance of physical health for people with SCI.


CONCURRENT SESSION 2: Attendees will be able to choose one of the following three workshops:
SESSION 2A: GOAL SETTING & MOTOR TASKS: PHYSICAL THERAPY & FUNCTION CONSIDERATIONS IN SPINAL CORD INJURIES
Presented by Lyndall Katte (Physiotherapist, NSW Spinal Outreach Service)

This session explores how motor function is typically impacted at different levels of injury, and pairs this with practical therapy goal planning and how to best support transfers.

SESSION 2A LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Understand the process of goal setting for people with a SCI
2. List the key muscles innervated at each level of injury and their implication on function
3. Understand the determining factors that impact optimal levels of function
4. List the key spinal cord syndromes for incomplete injuries and their implication on function
5. Understand how people with C6 tetraplegia roll, move from supine to long sitting and transfer
6. Understand how people with paraplegia roll, move from supine to long sitting and transfer

SESSION 2B: SPINAL CORD INJURY MANAGEMENT FOR NURSES
Presented by (Clinical Nurse Specialist, NSW Spinal Outreach Service)

This workship considers clinical knowledge, practical skills and advancing clinical reasoning in relation to people with spinal cord injury with their bladder care, bowel care, skin care and other health maintenance concerns.

SESSION 2B LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Understanding the clinical factors relating to neurogenic bladder management in SCI
2. Understanding the clinical factors relating to neurogenic bowel management in SCI
3. Skin care and responding to pressure injury in SCI
4. Understanding Autonomic Dysreflexia

SESSION 2C: SCI CONSIDERATIONS FOR COMMON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Presented by Dallas Pirronello (Occupational Therapist, NSW Spinal Outreach Service)

This session considers the impact of the complex clinical features of spinal cord injury on assistive technology needs.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR SESSION 2C
1. Introduction to mattress support surfaces.
2. Introduction to functional and pressure care factors relating to mobile shower commodes.
3. Introduction to cushion support surfaces.
4. Introduction to heel suspension assistive technology.


SESSION 3: ADJUSTMENT FOLLOWING SCI – SHAPING THE WAY THAT WE WORK WITH OUR CLIENTS
Presented by Lauren Bannerman (Social Worker, NSW Spinal Outreach Service)

In this session, we will consider the impact of spinal cord injury on the person and those around them.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR SESSION 3
1. Understand the process of adjustment following SCI
2. Understand psycho-social factors related to providing supports

LOCATION: University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health Tamworth Education Centre114/148 Johnston St, North Tamworth NSW 2340