Coast Rehab

31/08/2026

24/08/2026

A very overdue digital welcome to Merryn! 💙

Merryn joined the Coast Rehab team back in January, and while she’s been very much part of the team for the past few months, we’re only just getting around to giving her the proper social media introduction she deserves!

Merryn is a Physiotherapist with a strong passion for neurological rehabilitation and supporting people through complex recovery journeys.

Her clinical experience has spanned aged care and the public health system, including surgical, orthopaedic, respiratory, intensive care, stroke rehabilitation and community settings.

She later worked with one of Sydney’s largest private neurological rehabilitation providers, where she developed advanced skills in neurological rehabilitation alongside experienced clinicians and mentors.

What we particularly love about Merryn’s approach is her focus on what matters to each person - developing personalised, goal-focused therapy and working closely with clients, families and other professionals to make therapy meaningful in everyday life.

She’s also a big believer in continuing to learn, challenge her thinking and bring current evidence into her practice.

Outside of Coast Rehab, Merryn can usually be found swimming at the beach, running, practising yoga or exploring the Central Coast with her husband and their much-loved Labrador. 🐾🌊

Merryn, we’re very glad you’re part of the Coast Rehab team — even if our digital welcome is several months late! 💙

17/08/2026

We’re excited to officially welcome Tim to the Coast Rehab team!

Tim is a qualified Occupational Therapist and brings more than four years of community OT experience supporting NDIS participants across Sydney and the Central Coast.

His experience spans capacity building and life skills, functional assessments, home and living assessments, assistive technology and home modifications.

Tim has a particular passion for finding the right practical solution for each person - from power and manual wheelchairs and pressure care equipment to personal care equipment and transfer devices. He has also completed additional professional development in complex seating prescription.

But what really stands out is how Tim works with people.

He enjoys building genuine relationships with clients and their wider support networks, creating an environment where people feel comfortable, listened to and supported to work towards what matters to them.

And when he’s not at Coast Rehab, you’ll probably find Tim running, at the beach, spending time with family and friends — or trying to keep up with his energetic border collie puppy! 🐶

Welcome to the team, Tim! 💙

13/08/2026

A week on from the Central Coast Community Disability Expo, and we’re still reflecting on what a wonderful day it was. 💙

Thank you to the team at for bringing together such a great mix of people, organisations, families and services from across our community.

Peta and Laura had the pleasure of representing Coast Rehab at our stand, and one of the best parts of the day was simply having the opportunity to connect - to meet new people, catch up with familiar faces, listen to experiences and learn more about the incredible work happening across the Central Coast.

For us, days like this are a reminder that good disability support doesn't happen in isolation. It happens when people share knowledge, work together and create strong connections around the people we support.

We’re grateful to everyone who stopped by for a chat, asked a question, shared their story or simply said hello. 👋

Thank you for making us feel part of such a connected community.

Until the next one! 🌊

11/08/2026

We’re very excited to welcome Jarrad to the Coast Rehab team!

Jarrad is a qualified Occupational Therapist and brings a wealth of experience supporting people following stroke and spinal cord injury.

Before joining us, Jarrad worked in a major tertiary hospital in Sydney across acute and inpatient rehabilitation, developing strong skills in upper limb rehabilitation, assistive technology, complex wheelchair seating, functional assessment and pressure care.

What we particularly love about Jarrad’s approach is the way he combines clinical knowledge with curiosity - taking the time to understand what matters to each person and finding practical solutions that support independence, safety and participation in everyday life.

And he’s not stopping there! Jarrad is currently completing a PhD through UNSW and The George Institute for Global Health, researching the use of motion capture technology to improve upper limb assessment following stroke.

Evidence, innovation and genuine connection - we think he’s going to fit right in.

Outside of work, Jarrad is a proud Coastie who enjoys surfing, rock climbing, making ceramics and tackling projects around the home and garden.

Welcome to Coast Rehab, Jarrad! 🌊

03/06/2026

From a home office to a purpose-built rehabilitation clinic, Coast Rehab has truly been built on family, determination, and a passion for helping others.

More than 20 years ago, Coast Rehab Director Peta Hardy started working for herself after the birth of her third son, while her husband worked away for long periods as a merchant seaman.

Like many women balancing family and career, Peta adapted her work to fit around the needs of her growing family. What began as working from home evolved into an office and, eventually, the rehabilitation gym and clinic Coast Rehab operates from today.

One of the most rewarding parts of that journey has been seeing her sons contribute to the business in a very tangible way. They recently helped transform an industrial unit into a welcoming clinical space, installing flooring, building walls, and creating office areas.

This week marked another milestone, with the installation of a ceiling hoist to support our physiotherapy team and the clients we work with every day.

For Peta, it was a proud moment. Not only seeing another stage of the clinic completed, but knowing that her sons played a part in building it.

Coast Rehab is proud to be a family-centred business, built on hard work, community, and a commitment to improving the lives of people with disability.

Swipe through to see some of the team behind the build!



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28/04/2026

It on again! Sunday May 17th Walk to Defeat MND Central Coast.

Sign up to join in at
https://www.walktodefeatmnd.org.au/centralcoast26

20/04/2026

Our Director Peta Hardy is presenting at Sydney ATSA Independent Living Expo in May on the role of Assistive Technology (AT) in supporting people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Assistive Technology has the potential to make a meaningful and immediate difference. Supporting independence, comfort, safety, and participation in everyday life, even as needs change over time.

ATSA provides a great opportunity for our team to explore the latest equipment and connect with others working in assistive technology and complex disability.

Come along on 13th and 14th May https://expo.atsa.org.au/sydney-expo/

09/04/2026

In the rehab gym this week we had from Mogo Wheelchairs to visit with Dave (a long-term wheelchair user) and review his setup.
Refining his custom chair with a solid one-piece footplate and introducing a contoured backrest to better support changes in posture over time.

Having the right environment, equipment, and team on hand allows us to problem-solve in real time and achieve better outcomes for our clients.

07/04/2026

An important reminder that clinical reasoning matters.

Proud to see this conversation being led by Peta Hardy – Director of Coast Rehab 👏🧠

“We’ve removed the bed rails. They’re a restrictive practice.” That’s what one of my OTs was told walking into an NDIS-funded group home.

Their participant requires a hoist for transfers. She does not attempt to leave the bed independently. She can call for staff when needed. With rails raised, she repositions herself overnight for comfort.

When the rails were removed without Occupational Therapist input, her overnight support needs increased. Her independence dropped. Her agitation rose.

Here’s the key point: Bed rails are not always automatically a restrictive practice ⚠️ Specifically for in-home care. However, if someone is in a facility or hospital setting, different rules may apply.

If used to address a behaviour of concern, they may dip into restrictive practice territory. If prescribed to support positioning or transfers, with risk assessed and mitigated, they may be therapeutic.

Across all settings, bed rails must be assessed case by case, considering falls, entrapment, impalement, asphyxiation and restraint risk to promote safety and wellbeing.

To learn more about the prescription of bed rails (and alternative products) alongside principles of assessment of beds and mattresses, you're going to want to attend our upcoming live workshop with Verve OT Learning!!

Join us for: Sleep Tight – Selecting the Most Suitable Bed, presented by Peta Hardy 🛌

NEW DATE: 20 April 2026 | 12.00pm – 2.00pm AEST (P.S. If you can't make it live, sign up to receive the recording and slides)