In addition to the expert medical care and support provided by our nurses, doctors and midwives at the Royal Hospital for Women, we have an expert team of Allied Health Staff. Allied Health Professionals are highly qualified and skilled professionals who work with you to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses and conditions. We provide high quality evidence based care with a multidisciplinary focus to ensure that your physical, psychological and social needs are addressed. We provide care across the lifespan from newborn to aged care and in hospital, community, home and outpatient settings.

Allied Health play an important role in supporting you to return to your best level of function, and to stay well and out of hospital.

Find information about Allied Health services at the Royal Hospital for Women from the following pages:

• Nutrition and Dietetic Service

• Physiotherapy

• Pharmacy

• Social Work

• Psychology

We acknowledge the Bidjigal People who are the sovereign custodians of the land that we work on. We pay our respects to elders past and present and acknowledge the enduring survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout these lands we now call Australia.

Social work is an important component of the team at the Royal Hospital for Women. We complement the medical, nursing and other allied health services, and advocate for women and their families in their journey through the health system.  Depending on your needs, social workers offer

• Emotional support
• Practical assistance with accessing a range of supports in the community
• Short term counselling related to your health and wellbeing

“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.” (Australian Association of Social Workers, July 2014)

We acknowledge Sutherland Hospital is on land traditionally owned by the Dharawal people of the Eora nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present.

We welcome all people requiring care and their families, carers and friends to our hospital.

We ask all people coming to our hospital ‘Are you living as or known as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in your community?’ If you answer yes, we will contact Samantha Gifford, our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO) and let her know you are here.

Coming to hospital can be a difficult time. Samantha is available to have a yarn if you are finding it difficult being away from your home and family, if you are dealing with sorry business or feel a bit lonely or anxious.

Samantha is part of our Social Work team and is available to provide you the following support

• Provide you with and your family with emotional, social and cultural support
• Advocate and liaise with other staff on your behalf
• Provide information about hospital services
• Provide information on your rights and responsibilities
• Organise referrals to other services (eg Aboriginal, Legal, Child Care Protection)
• Help you get financial assistance if you need it (eg pensions, benefits, IPTAAS (Isolated Patient’s Travel and Accommodation Scheme))
• Advice on accommodation if you are travelling to Sydney from the country
• Help you and the social worker to fill in an application for housing
• Work with the hospital team to organise nursing, hospice or respite care if you need it
• Organise for you to get help if you need it when you get home. This includes help with housework, shopping, meals on wheels or any equipment you might need.

You can read our brochure for more information.

How we can help you (What we do?)

The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Social Work team offer counselling and practical assistance to help patients, family members, friends and carers to deal with any issues or concerns that may arise from an illness or being in hospital. This includes:

• Adjusting to illness and change
• Anxiety about your hospital stay
• Stress and distress
• Planning for how you will cope when you leave hospital
• Help at home after you leave hospital
• Information about community services including psychological support
• Coping with loss and grief and trauma
• Supporting someone with a terminal illness
• Information about services including Centrelink, Housing NSW, IPTAAS, ComPacks and Work Cover

We can also provide you with information about other agencies and services.

Who we care for?

We are available to support inpatients and outpatients who attend Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital for treatment as well as family members, friends and carers of patients.

Who are we?

Our team consists of three social workers who work across the Emergency Department, Hand Unit, Ophthalmology Unit and General Medicine Ward to provide counselling and practical support to patients, family members and carers.

Our Partners

We work in partnership with your health care team as well as other external agencies and community services to assist in your overall care and wellbeing.

We work alongside our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO) to ensure that the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families are met.

How We Can Help You

Our Social Work team is available to offer support to patients, family members, carers, and friends. We offer emotional and practical assistance with any issues or concerns that may arise from being in hospital. This includes, but it not limited to:

• Changes related to a new or existing injury, illness, or disability
• Offer support to you and your family if you are anxious or stressed about your hospital stay
• Coping with loss, grief, and trauma
• Planning for when you leave hospital
• Accessing Respite or Permanent Residential Aged Care
• Providing information about services and other community resources including: psychological support, aged care support services, Centrelink, Housing NSW, NDIS, Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS), as well as other agencies and services

Outpatient Clinics

We also provide an outpatient service to the following clinics:

• Oncology Day Clinic
• Pre-Admission Clinic (Peritonectomy)
• Antenatal Clinic
• Renal Clinics – Renal Supportive Care and Haemodialysis
• Rose Cottage Day Rehab
• Sexual Health
• Hepatology

Contact Us

If you wish to speak with a Social Worker, please contact the Social Work Department and ask to speak to the Social Worker for the ward or clinic where you or your loved one is admitted.

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you may want to speak with our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO).

Interpreters and sign language interpreter services can be organised if required.

Phone
02 9113 2494

Fax
02 9113 2206

Opening Times
8.00am-4.30pm Monday to Friday

We provide a limited weekend service and an after-hours crisis on-call service. If you need our help outside the times listed above, then please speak with your nurse or doctor.

How to find us

Social Work Department, Level 4, Pritchard Wing, St George Hospital, Gray St, Kogarah (Building 34 on the campus map)

Head of Department

Scott Crehan

Helpful Links

• My Aged Care
• Carer Gateway
• Planning Ahead (Wills, Power of Attorney, Enduring Guardianship, Advance Care Planning)
• NDIS
• Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme
• Legal Aid Health Justice Partnership

Crisis Support Numbers

• Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
• NSW Aging and Disability Abuse Helpline – 1800 628 221
• MensLine – 1300 789 978

How we can help you

Our Social Work team is available to support you whether you are a patient or a family member, friend or carer. We offer counselling and practical help with any issues or concerns that may arise from an illness or being in hospital. This includes:

• Changes related to an illness or disability
• Anxiety about your hospital stay
• Stress and distress
• Planning for when you leave hospital
• Support for your family while you are in hospital
• Coping with loss, grief and trauma
• Supporting you if you have a life limiting illness
• Information about services including psychological support, home care, Centrelink, Housing NSW, NDIS, Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)
• Parking concessions for the on-site Metro car park if eligible.

 We can also provide you with information about other agencies and services.

 If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander you may want to speak with our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO). Our AHLO is available Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm. You can contact them via the Hospital switchboard on 9382 2222.

 All our services are free of charge.

How we can help you

Our Social Work team is available to support you whether you are a patient or a family member, friend or carer. We offer counselling and practical help with any issues or concerns that may arise from an illness or being in hospital. This includes:

• Changes related to an illness or disability
• Anxiety about your hospital stay
• Stress and distress
• Planning for when you leave hospital
• Support for your family while you are in hospital
• Coping with loss, grief and trauma
• Supporting you if you have a life limiting illness
• Information about services including psychological support, home care, Centrelink, Housing NSW, NDIS, Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)
• Parking concessions for the on-site Metro car park if eligible.

 We can also provide you with information about other agencies and services.

 If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander you may want to speak with our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO). Our AHLO is available Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm. You can contact them via the Hospital switchboard on 9382 2222.

 All our services are free of charge.

How we can help you

We acknowledge Prince of Wales Hospital is on land traditionally owned by the Bidjigal/Bidiagal people. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people using our services.

We welcome all people requiring care and their families, carers and friends to our hospital.

We ask all people coming to our hospital ‘Are you living as or known as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in your community?’ If you answer yes, we will ask you if you would like to see our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers (AHLOs).

Coming to hospital can be a difficult time. Our AHLOs are available to have a yarn if you are finding it difficult being away from your home and family, if you are dealing with Sorry Business or feel a bit lonely or anxious.

Our AHLOs are part of our Social Work team and available to provide you the following support:

• Provide you with and your family with emotional, social and cultural support
• Advocate and liaise with other staff on your behalf
• Provide information about hospital services
• Provide information on your rights and responsibilities
• Organise referrals to other services (eg Aboriginal, Legal, Child Care Protection)
• Help you get financial assistance if you need it (eg pensions, benefits, IPTAAS (Isolated Patient’s Travel and Accommodation Scheme))
• Help you with finding accommodation if you are travelling to Sydney from the country
• Help you to fill in an application for housing
• Organise nursing, hospice or respite care if you need it
• Organise for you to get help if you need it when you get home. This includes help with housework, shopping, meals on wheels or any equipment you might need.

You can read our brochure for more information.

How we can help you

We acknowledge Prince of Wales Hospital is on land traditionally owned by the Bidjigal/Bidiagal people. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people using our services.

We welcome all people requiring care and their families, carers and friends to our hospital.

We ask all people coming to our hospital ‘Are you living as or known as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in your community?’ If you answer yes, we will ask you if you would like to see our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers (AHLOs).

Coming to hospital can be a difficult time. Our AHLOs are available to have a yarn if you are finding it difficult being away from your home and family, if you are dealing with Sorry Business or feel a bit lonely or anxious.

Our AHLOs are part of our Social Work team and available to provide you the following support:

• Provide you with and your family with emotional, social and cultural support
• Advocate and liaise with other staff on your behalf
• Provide information about hospital services
• Provide information on your rights and responsibilities
• Organise referrals to other services (eg Aboriginal, Legal, Child Care Protection)
• Help you get financial assistance if you need it (eg pensions, benefits, IPTAAS (Isolated Patient’s Travel and Accommodation Scheme))
• Help you with finding accommodation if you are travelling to Sydney from the country
• Help you to fill in an application for housing
• Organise nursing, hospice or respite care if you need it
• Organise for you to get help if you need it when you get home. This includes help with housework, shopping, meals on wheels or any equipment you might need.

You can read our brochure for more information.