OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES

Services include:

• Assessment of the patient’s abilities to perform daily living tasks such as personal care (eg showering, dressing, grooming, feeding), household tasks, leisure and work.
• Provision of treatment programs through relevant and meaningful tasks (occupations), use of adaptive methods and adaptive equipment.
• Prescription or adaptation of equipment such as wheelchairs, pressure care cushions, bathing equipment. Training in the use of special aids including environmental controls, bathing, dressing and eating aids.
• Home assessment visits – assessment of the patient's capabilities in their home environment including assessment of access, mobility, safety and daily living skills. Recommendations are made regarding needs of the patient and changes in the home environment in preparation for discharge.
• Assessment of upper limb (arm) function.
• Hand and upper limb (arm) treatment, including splinting.
• Scar management (eg following a burn injury).
• Provision of assessment and intervention related to mental health issues.
• Coordination of patient care.
• Discharge planning (activities to assist patients to get home) in conjunction with other health team members.
• Referral to and liaison with community service organisations.
• Providing advice to external enquirers on areas of clinical expertise.
• Training of Occupational Therapy students and less frequently students of other disciplines or those seeking work experience.

How to refer from within RAH

• Direct to the relevant Occupational Therapist or telephone the OT Department on Extension 24980 with details of patient, UR number, location, condition and request.
• Inpatients: An M60 referral form is preferred (to follow-up phone referral) and may be left in the case notes or sent to the Department, Level 5, Allied Health Building.
• Blanket referral is considered to exist for the Psychiatry, Geriatric, Spinal, Burn and Stroke Units at North Terrace (Spinal Cord Injury, Short Term Rehabilitation and Medical Rehabilitation at Hampstead Rehab Centre).
• Outpatients: M60 referral form is required. Please check with the Department or Occupational Therapist in clinic before sending new outpatients to Occupational Therapy, as an immediate appointment is only possible with prior notification.

How to refer from outside RAH

• External doctor referrals may be received for patients requiring specialised OT services unavailable in the community. Please contact the OT department for further information (Telephone +61 8 8222 4980).
• For further information regarding services provided at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre see Occupational Therapy at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre