The Allan Bean Centre, based at Burwood Hospital, is a unique centre for research and learning in rehabilitation.

Opened in October 2001, the Allan Bean Centre is now firmly established as part of the rehabilitation process at Burwood, and it is here that collaborative work between the New Zealand Spinal Trust, Health Board and Burwood Academy of Independent Living largely takes place.

The facility is primarily for patients, their familes and caregivers, and aims to provide good quality information and resources.

It is also available for students, staff and researchers.

The key concept of the centre is, rehabilitation is not a medical process but a process of learning.

The main resources available at the Allan Bean Centre are:

• The open access ABC library with a unique mix of medical and rehabilitation focused non-fiction as well as general fiction, magazines and multimedia
  
  
• Assistive Technology and Computer Training programmes
  
  
• A Vocational Rehabilitation programme with a fresh approach to getting back to work
  
  
• The Burwood Hospital Volunteers programme
  
  

The ABC has been named after Mr Allan Bean, a renowned spinal rehabilitation specialist and surgeon. Allan Bean retired in 2000 but still returns to the Spinal Unit from time to time to teach students and conduct clinics. Naming the centre after him honours the contribution he has made to the treatment and rehabilitation of people with spinal injuries and recognizes the enormously high regard his patients have for him all over New Zealand.