Emily Clay

Senior Physiotherapist, Health NZ - Waitematā, NZ

Emily Clay is a Senior Physiotherapist at the National Child Rehabilitation Service (NCRS) based at the Wilson Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. Originally from Manchester, England, Emily graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in Physiotherapy in 2013 before embarking on a diverse clinical career across the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
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After specialising in paediatrics, she worked at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital before relocating to New Zealand, where she joined Starship Hospital. She then gained a senior role within the National Child Rehabilitation Service, providing specialist rehabilitation for children and young people with complex neurological, traumatic, and acquired conditions.

Emily is passionate about delivering whānau-centred, interdisciplinary rehabilitation that supports children to achieve meaningful outcomes and maximise participation in everyday life. She has a particular interest in paediatric trauma rehabilitation, service development, and advancing evidence-informed clinical practice

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Little People, Big Injuries

This presentation will explore the inpatient rehabilitation pathway for children and young people who have sustained traumatic injuries and require specialist inpatient rehabilitation through the National Child Rehabilitation Service (NCRS). It will outline the journey from acute trauma services to inpatient rehabilitation for patients across New Zealand and selected Pacific Island nations, highlighting the role of early, coordinated multidisciplinary rehabilitation in optimising recovery and the unique challenges faced by children and their whānau during admission and transition back to their communities.
 
With the use of a case study, she aims to encourage discussion around how we can continue to evolve paediatric trauma rehabilitation services to improve outcomes and experiences.