Allied Health and Rehabilitation Services
All Allied Health Services require the client to either attend preschool, school, work or reside in the Hawkesbury LGA to be eligible for services. As these services are free to the community, demand can be high and as a result waiting lists will apply with all services applying a clinical priority urgency level. Other department specific eligibility limits may apply. To make a referral to any of these services contact Hawkesbury Community Health on 4560 5714 Monday - Friday.
Speech Pathology
The Speech Pathology department provides outpatient services to children aged 0 – 12 years (not at high school). The service includes assessment and intervention for children with expressive language, receptive language, articulation/speech, fluency, voice and/or feeding difficulties.
The service also provides assessment and management of inpatients referred by the medical team in the hospital, however no adult outpatient services are provided.
Paediatric Occupational Therapy
Referral to Occupational Therapy may be appropriate where preschool or school age children are suspected of having difficulties with motor development (particularly fine motor and eye hand coordination), self care and/or play abilities.
Families are initially offered a formal assessment of the child's abilities with the possibility of further therapy sessions, as well as providing advice about appropriate activities for home, preschool/ school environments and related resources/ services that may be of assistance.
Adult Occupational Therapy
The adult Occupational Therapist provides assessment and intervention for inpatients at HDHS who have been referred by the medical or allied health team. The Occupational Therapist can advise on ways to manage activities of daily living, such as personal care, domestic tasks including meal preparation, cleaning washing and shopping. As well as home management, community access, work and leisure activities. The Occupational Therapist provides assessment and recommendations for home modifications, equipment and community services. After a patient has been discharged from hospital they may receive follow up from the Occupational Therapist at home to ensure patient safety
Podiatry
The podiatry service aims to prevent limb threatening foot pathologies and promote "the foot health message" across the community.
Our service covers the following needs:
- Routine podiatry for all ages for general nail care.
- Biomechanical foot assessments for all ages for orthotic therapy.
- Diabetic foot assessments and education.
- Foot related wound care
Dietetics
Outpatient Dietetic services are available for children and adults referred by their GP or other Health Professional. The following conditions are managed:
- Nutrition support for malnutrition or wound healing
- Diabetes management
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Infant feeding issues including Failure to Thrive
- Paediatric obesity
- Food Allergies
Adults requiring assistance with weight loss or managing cardiac risk factors will be directed to appropriate group programs depending on availability.
The Dietitian also provides assessment and management of inpatients referred by the medical team.
Child Health Medical Officer (CHMO)
The CHMO provides screening and developmental assessments for children aged 0 to 5 years, who have been identified with possible difficulty with developmental milestones, behaviour or growth.
Following assessment the CHMO will liaise with parents or carers, therapists and other agencies as required, to help resolve any identified issues, and if needed, refer children to appropriate services.
Physiotherapy
The Physiotherapy Department provides a wide range of outpatient services including: orthopaedic rehabilitation, plastering and casting, musculoskeletal physiotherapy, cardiac exercise and specialised paediatric physiotherapy. Physiotherapy assessment and treatment are also provided to inpatients on referral from the hospital's medical team.
Hawkesbury Mobile Rehabilitation Team
The Mobile Rehabilitation Team is a multidisciplinary service consisting of medical, nursing and allied health staff that provides rehabilitation assessment and intervention to identified inpatients. Therapy is provided as an adjunct to the patient’s medical and surgical care with the aim to optimise the patient’s function before returning to the community or while awaiting a rehabilitation facility.
Transitional Aged Care Program
This program is available for clients following a hospital admission and assessment from the Aged Care Assessment Team. Entry to the program directly from the community is not possible.
The program provides low intensity rehabilitation and support for aged and frail clients living at home to ensure the recovery from their hospitalisation is maximised.
Clients receive therapy programs from physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social work and community care aides. Assistance can also be provided for personal care, domestic tasks and transport. Most clients receive the program for 6 – 8 weeks.
