Our Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology department aims to improve physical function, independence and quality of life in patients across a continuum of care that includes emergency, inpatient, outpatient, community-based therapy, hydrotherapy and specialist clinics.
Key points
- Physiotherapy staff work across all clinical services at the RMH
- We provide assessment, treatment and education for patients
- Patients may be provided with an opportunity to be involved in one of our research or quality projects
What we do
Our Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology service provides assessment, treatment and education for patients with various conditions including cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders.
What we do
Physiotherapists and exercise physiologists are trained to assess and treat cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, and educate patients about managing their condition.
Treatment techniques may include:
- Airway clearance techniques and breathing exercises
- Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) prescription
- Tracheostomy management and weaning
- Functional rehabilitation and gait retraining
- Motor relearning
- Balance and vestibular therapy
- Joint mobilisation, manipulation and muscle re-education
- Therapeutic exercise including hydrotherapy and group exercise programs
- Education, including physical activity advice
Our clinics
Clinic name | Location | Options |
---|---|---|
Physiotherapy Clinic | The RMH Parkville | |
Rapid Access Back Assessment Clinic | The RMH Parkville |
Our clinics
Referrals
Direct Access Unit
We accept GP and specialist referrals:
- Use the RMH Community Services Referral Form, the RMH GP Referral Form or a template from your own system
- Complete and fax your referral to Direct Access Unit on (03) 8387 2217
DAU welcomes phone enquiries. Contact us on (03) 8387 2333 to discuss potential or existing referrals.
Referrals should include:
- Relevant clinical history
- Reason for referral
- Patient details including address, date of birth and contact phone numbers
- Your details and provider number
- Name of the consultant (for Medicare clinics)
- Investigation reports related to the referral
Referrals are triaged based on priority. In an emergency, patients can go to the Emergency & Trauma Service at any time.
For advice, urgent referrals and out of hours support, call The RMH Switchboard on (03) 9342 7000 to page our registrar on call.
HealthPathways Melbourne provides guidance on best practice assessment and management of common medical conditions, including when and where to refer patients.
Parkville Connect is a secure web-based portal providing GPs, specialists and other health professionals with information in the Parkville electronic medical record (EMR).
Clinical overview
We provide comprehensive assessment and a range of therapeutic interventions.
Working across the continuum of care from acute and subacute settings, to centre and home-based services, staff maintain safe, effective, evidence-based and person-centred care.
They contribute specialist expertise and provide advanced scope of practice, making sure that the RMH services are of the highest quality.
Tertiary qualified and credentialed through certification and registration, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists contribute to service improvement, quality assurance and research to make sure care is safely delivered and meets the highest standards.
Staff also work in partnership with multiple Victorian universities, taking a leading role in educating the future allied health workforce.
We integrate clinical expertise with evidence-based research and work within a framework of empowering the individual, carer, or the community through education and the promotion of self-management of health and wellbeing.
Where we work
Primary contact physiotherapist in Emergency Department
Credentialed senior physiotherapists independently assess and manage patients presenting to the emergency department with musculoskeletal conditions such as low back pain, peripheral joint pain and injury and plaster checks.
Orthopaedic Assessment Clinics (OAHKS, Soft Tissue and Shoulder Clinics)
Credentialed senior physiotherapists assess a subset of non-urgent orthopaedic referrals for peripheral joint conditions.
They formulate and implement management plans for those patients not requiring surgical intervention, facilitating access to timely specialist consultation for those requiring surgical intervention.
Joint replacement service
Credentialed senior physiotherapists conduct specified routine postoperative reviews following hip and knee arthroplasty surgery in place of orthopaedic surgeons to provide consistent best-practice care and facilitating access to orthopaedic consultation if required.
Back Assessment Clinic, Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgery Spinal clinics
Credentialed senior physiotherapists independently assess and manage patients referred to the RMH with spinal conditions including low back and neck pain, radiculopathies and scoliosis monitoring.
Find out more about our Back Assessment Clinic, Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgery spinal clinics.
Appointments
Contact us to change or cancel your appointment.
What to bring
Every time you come
Every time you come in for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:
- Medicare card
- Health Care card (if you have one)
- Concession card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
- X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
- Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
- Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
For a clinic appointment
If you come for a clinic appointment, you should also bring:
- Your appointment letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- Your appointment book
- TAC or WorkCover claim number
Interpreters & cultural support

We provide qualified, professional interpreters to help you communicate with us at any time during your stay and at your clinic appointments.
- Μάθετε περισότερα γιά διερμηνείς & υποστήριξη κουλτούρας
- Scopri di più sugli interpreti e sul supporto culturale
- Tercümanlar ve kültürel destek hakkında daha fazla bilgi edinmek için
- Tìm hiểu thêm về thông dịch viên và hỗ trợ văn hóa
- 找出更多翻译与文化支持的信息
- لمزيدٍ من المعلومات عن خدمة الترجمة الشفهية والخدمات الثقافية
Level 3 North
300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria
Ground Level Graeme Larkins Rehabilitation Building (Building 26)
34-54 Poplar Rd, Parkville, Victoria