Registered Hand Therapist and Occupational Therapist
Darren qualified as an OT in 2006 and started his career at Middlemore Hospital where he specialised in the area of Hand Therapy. In 2010, he moved to Wellington in order to expand his knowledge and skills in the specialist Hand Therapy unit at Wellington Regional Hospital, before heading overseas for additional work and life experience. He joined the Handworks team in 2021 after 10 years in the UK where he worked in leading hospitals in London, including major trauma units.
While in the UK, Darren completed Level 1 & 2 of the British Hand Therapy (BAHT) training and obtained the American Certified Hand Therapist qualification (CHT). He has a wide range of experience working with rheumatology, congenital conditions, acquired conditions, and acute trauma including complex trauma.
Outside of work, Darren enjoys watching and playing sport (in particular rugby), eating out at new restaurants or trying new cuisines, and is looking forward to re-exploring New Zealand/ Aotearoa. View details »
Registered Hand Therapist and Occupational Therapist
I joined the Handworks team in 2017. Since graduating from AUT with BHSc (Occupational Therapy) in 2008, I have worked at Middlemore hospital through the rotational scheme, working in specialised areas such as burns, hand therapy and spinal rehabilitation where I found my passion for Hand Therapy. I completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation in 2016 and achieved my Registered Hand Therapy Status in 2017. I have had the opportunity to work in the public sector of health and have very much enjoy the diversity and this has also enabled me to gain experience in treating wide range of injuries and conditions.
Outside of work, I enjoy being active, love traveling and spending time with family and friends.
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Ashton started her Hand Therapy journey as a receptionist at a Hand Therapy clinic during her physiotherapy training, which sparked her interest in hands. After earning her Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy from AUT in 2019, she worked as a Rotational Physiotherapist at Middlemore Hospital. In 2020, she realised her passion for treating hand and upper limb injuries and shifted to working full time in hand therapy, undertaking her associate training and completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation (Hand and Upper Limb Therapy) in 2022. She has since worked as a Registered Hand Therapist in Northwest Auckland and joined the Handworks team in 2024 after relocating with her husband.
Outside of work, Ashton enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, gardening, dancing, and netball, as well as creative pursuits such as baking, knitting, and sewing.
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