Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinics (General Rehabilitation)
How we can help you
If you have had an illness or injury, we will help you set goals and work with you to regain function, independence and wellbeing. Our therapies include: psychology, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work, dietetics and podiatry.
If you live in the community we provide these therapies through our outpatient clinics, which include:
| Clinic | What we do | Clinic days |
| General rehabilitation clinic | We provide care for those who are recovering from a joint, bone or muscle problem, including neck and back injuries, arthritis, joint replacement, degenerative conditions or reconditioning after severe illness. | Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays |
| Neuro rehabilitation clinic | We provide care for those who are recovering from a neurological problem, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, post-polio, head injury, brain tumours or neuromuscular conditions. | Monday and Wednesdays |
| Amputee rehabilitation | We provide care and long term support for those who are recovering from a upper or lower limb amputation. |
Lower Limb - 1st and 3rd Wednesday Upper Limb - Thursdays |
| Spasticity clinic | We provide care including assessment and intervention for those with spasticity following neurological illness or injury, including botulinum toxin. | Thursday |
We care for people who want to recover function or independence after a:
- Stroke
- Other neurological condition such as cerebral aneurysm, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathy or polio
- Leg or arm amputation
- Major operation (Brain, spine or abdominal surgery)
- Serious injury or illness that may need prolonged bedrest or intensive care.
Our team includes:
- Medical staff
- Nursing staff
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Dietician
- Speech Therapists
- Social workers
- Psychologist
- Orthotists
You are the central member of your rehabilitation team. We will work together with you to set your individual goals and enable personalised rehabilitation that maximises your potential and transition back to the community.
To attend one of our clinics you will need a referral from your local general practitioner (GP) or specialist doctor.
You can then make an appointment by calling our clerical staff on 9382 8734. They will organise your appointment date and time over the phone.
Most people are seen within a few weeks, but urgent problems will be seen sooner.
When visiting our clinics for the first time, you will see a specialist rehabilitation doctor for a medical review and to plan your therapy. Expect your appointments to take around 1 hour.
You will need to bring:
- Medicare card
- Health care card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- Previous xrays, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results
- Your regular medicines and a list of all that you are currently taking (or the boxes), including those you take without a prescription such as herbal supplements or vitamins
- Glasses, hearing aid, walking frame.
- Your referral from your GP (local doctor) is essential.
We believe research helps us improve what we do and we test and introduce new, proven techniques. You will sometimes be asked whether you wish to participate in research projects. We will always respect your right to decline if you don’t wish to participate.
We are a teaching hospital and have many team members who are trainees. Interns are newly qualified doctors. The registrar looking after you is in training to become a specialist in rehabilitation medicine. The nursing staff will often include students from our affiliated Universities working under supervision, as do our physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, speech pathology and dietician staff. Be assured that they are all well-supervised by fully accredited senior staff members.
Even our experienced permanent staff members are committed to continual education to keep up to date and to learn new ways of working and supporting your recovery.
Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.