Physiotherapy

The physiotherapy department provides services to both the neurology and palliative care units. The service extends from inpatients to outpatients and home visits. The department also acts as a consultancy service, to offer specialist advice in the management of people with progressive neurological diseases to physiotherapists in satellite clinics and across regional Victoria.

Neurological Unit:

Assessments of patients to determine their level of physical functioning
Provision of tailored exercise programs, appropriate for the person’s level of ability.
Prescription of wheelchairs and gait aids, and liaison with equipment suppliers and funding organizations such as the Victorian Aids and Equipment Program and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Prescription of specialized equipment to maximize function and comfort, such as collars, braces and straps.
Problem solving with patients and families to optimize independence
Training of carers in safe manual handling and transferring of patients who need physical assistance.
Working with the multidisciplinary team to devise and implement discharge plans to facilitate discharge.

Palliative Care Unit:

Assessments of patients to determine their level of physical functioning
Provision of tailored exercise programs to maximize strength, independence and to assist with fatigue management.
Gentle exercise groups conducted in the physiotherapy gym twice weekly.
Prescription and provision of mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, frames and walking sticks.
Assessment of pressure care needs and prescription of pressure relief items such as cushions, elbow and ankle pads.
Advice and training to families in how to assist with mobility and transfers in the home, including the use of hoists where appropriate.
Assistance with the management of breathlessness with breath control techniques and aids.
Oedema management including bandaging, advice, exercises and massage.
Liaison with the multidisciplinary team for discharge planning.

Further departmental activities:

Participation in ward team meetings and family meetings with other members of the multidisciplinary teams.
Participation in the Back Injury Prevention Program, conducting regular sessions for staff across the hospital to assist in preventing injuries.
Provide placements for physiotherapy students from Melbourne University and LaTrobe University, to expand the students’ experience in working with this diverse group of patients.
Research project underway in 2008/09, funded by the Physiotherapy Research Foundation.
Regular quality activities are undertaken such as audits and service development projects.
Participation in ongoing professional development opportunities provided by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Active physiotherapy in-service program for staff, including links to the Caulfield General Medical Centre physiotherapy in-service program.
Education to CHCB nursing staff and students
Participation in the Family Care Giver Program.

Contact us:

The physiotherapy department is open from 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, except Public Holidays.

Telephone number: 03 9595 3262

Fax number: 03 9595 3249

Email: physiotherapy@bethlehem.org.au

Note: The department is most easily accessed from Ludbrook Street. It is situated adjacent to the disabled parking area off Ludbrook Street