Community Therapy Services
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Community Therapy Services (CTS) provides a comprehensive range of multi-disciplinary rehabilitation services.
Patients are provided an individually tailored, short-term, goal-orientated therapy program with an emphasis on patient education, self-management and carer support.
Both individual and group therapy sessions are provided. We work with people who experience various conditions such as:
- Age related changes
- Rheumatologic conditions
- Chronic pain
- Vestibular conditions
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Neurological conditions
- Amputation
Community Therapy Services therapists focus on teaching patients and carers how to manage their condition. Patients may do exercises or activities with the therapists or they may recommend a program for patients to
complete at home.
Each Community Therapy Services program is different and is designed to suit the needs of the patient. As such, patients may receive therapy as an individual or as part of a group. The therapists may also see patients in their home, at the hospital or a combination of both. The length of time a patient will be involved with Community Therapy Services will be established with them, taking into account their goals and capabilities.
Community Therapy Services available include:
- Clinical psychology
- Dietetics
- Hydrotherapy
- Neuropsychology
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy
- Orthotics
- Physical education
- Physiotherapy
- Social work
- Speech therapy
Eligibility
- Goals for therapy to improve mobility, participate to a greater extent in activities of daily living, reduce risk of falls
- Lives in catchment area* Local Government Areas of Moonee Valley, Moreland (except Fawkner, Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park) and Melbourne (except Port Melbourne and South Yarra)
- Consent and motivation to participate in therapy. The patient understands the nature of service and is able to and agreeable to participate in therapy (i.e. able to attend multiple therapy sessions, attend during work hours and access Royal Park Campus)
The following patients are not managed through CTS:
- Eligible for funded therapy* - if eligible for TAC / Workcover /DVA funding, lives in HLC or receiving services through a high care home care package private services will be recommended
- Primarily requiring chronic disease management support throughHARP, COPD, CCF, Diabetes & client at risk of hospital presentation
OT home safety assessments will be conducted as part of an integrated rehabilitation program but not in isolation and not for major home modifications or complex equipment prescription (scooters, wheelchairs, seating and bedding, pressure care). Refer to local Community Health Service for more information.
*Patients living out of catchment area and/or eligible funded therapy may be accepted if they require amputee rehabilitation, hand therapy only, vestibular physiotherapy or neuropsychology only.
Referrals
We accept referrals from any source for this service, including GPs, family, carers, case managers and self-referral.
The Direct Access Unit also welcomes phone enquiries to discuss potential referrals or an existing referral.
Referrals are triaged depending on priority. Emergency cases can present to the Emergency & Trauma Service at any time.
To refer a patient, complete and fax your referral to Direct Access Unit on (03) 8387 2217.
You can use the following forms or a template from your own system.
Referrals should include:
- relevant clinical history for the patient
- list of current medications
- the reason for referral
- patient details including address, date of birth and contact phone numbers
- your provider number
- the name of the consultant (for Medicare clinics)
Consider making referrals for chronic conditions indefinite.
Once a referral has been received, a Care Coordinator will phone the patient to discuss their needs and organise appropriate services. The Care Coordinator will provide the patient with their phone number. Patients are encouraged to contact the Care Coordinator if they have any concerns.