Neuropalliative Rehabilitation

Calvary Health Care Bethlehem specializes in the care of people with motor neurone disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis and other progressive neurological disorders.

The Neurology Unit provides:

• In-patient assessment

• Management and respite service

• Community based nursing, medical and allied health services to people and their families.

• Continuum of care from assessment, day care centre, outpatient service, multi-disciplinary clinics and community nursing service.

We aim to provide people with care and support services that achieve best practice in medical, allied health and nursing care throughout the duration of their illness.

Motor Neurone Disease Consultancy

In 1996, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem in collaboration with the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Victoria (MNDAV) established a consultancy service for health professionals caring for people with motor neurone disease. Individual consultancy, education and training were offered through a state-wide program staffed by senior clinicians of the Neurology Unit.

Through seminars, information exchange and an education kit, the Consultancy increased awareness of this disease among health care professionals and provided strategic care and management options through a telephone advisory service. Timely access to relevant information was identified as the key objective of this specialist program.

With the development of the Neurological Outreach Service, the Motor Neurone Disease Consultancy now forms an integral part of our primary and consultative outreach service.

Through individual consultation, we are able to provide health professionals with clinical information and on-going peer support (as required) from the departments of community nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work, neurology, neuropsychology and speech pathology.

Individual consultation on progressive neurological disorders is available through the Neurological Outreach Program.

This is a free service and can be accessed Monday - Friday 08.30 - 17.00

Telephone: (03) 9595 3355
Fax: (03) 9596 3576
E-mail: MNDConsultancy@bethlehem.org.au

Outreach Service

Through the Neurological Outreach Service, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem provides primary and consultative services to health professionals, people with motor neurone disease, advanced multiple sclerosis and other progressive neurological disorders, their families and carers. Clinical advice and information, education and training, clinical assessment and telehealth services are available through this service.

To the outreach program, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem brings its expertise in the clinical management, treatment and assessment of progressive neurological disorders and its commitment to providing a continuum of care to the broader community. With an emphasis upon access and community liaison, services available through our outreach program encourage links between local healthcare providers, people and their families and Calvary Health Care Bethlehem.

Our experience in caring for people with speech and communication impairment, cognitive and behavioural change, changes in mobility and daily living and with complex emotional and care needs has determined the design of our outreach program. We provide a range of specialist services to the community that are appropriate to the needs of the health professional and the person at the time of referral or consultation. Providing appropriate care and flexible service options is foremost to our philosophy of care and reflects our commitment to providing services to the community regardless of the location of the health professional and person from the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem location. Through the use of information technology, we are able to provide consultative services to health professionals in rural and remote locations.

Members of the Community Nursing, Neurology, Neuropsychology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology team, staff this service.

Consultancy for Health Professionals

On-going access to specialist information is provided through our Consultancy service. Individualised consultation with members of the multidisciplinary team is available to health professionals, including e-mail access.

On-Site Assessment Service

Members of the Neurological Outreach Service team will assess people with progressive neurological disorders in the home, community or residential care setting . All assessments operate on a referral basis and can be undertaken in the presence of a local health professional. Discharge to the local health professional or case manager will occur at the conclusion of the assessment.

Multi-disciplinary Clinics

People with progressive neurological disorders have access to the Neurology team through our multi-disciplinary clinics. Neurological assessment is available, in addition to allied health assessment, treatment and management. A referral from a general practitioner or a neurologist is required to attend the multidisciplinary clinic at either Calvary Health Care Bethlehem or at one of our satellite clinics.

Education & Training

Through our education and training program, health professionals and carers are able to access information on progressive neurological disorders. For the health professional, seminar and training formats are available in all disciplines with a strong emphasis upon case management, liaison and the day to day management of progressive neurological disorders.

Education Kit

The Practical Management of Motor Neurone Disease provides a workaday approach to the management of motor neurone disease. With booklets written by each of the disciplines of the Neurology Unit, a range of topics are covered, from the management of ventilatory failure, modifications to dressing, the role of the speech pathologist in motor neurone disease, to shoulder care. A video series is also available, The Management of Advanced Multiple Sclerosis. Six videos are available in this series.

Telehealth

Through telehealth, health professionals are able to access members of the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem team for education and training and information services. Through this technology, health professionals in rural and remote locations can access clinical information through a training or workshop environment. Education provided through this service is designed in consultation with the requesting agency.

Admission Criteria

Eligibility for admission to the outreach service is determined by the locality and health needs of the individual. All primary care services require a letter of referral from a General Practitioner or Neurologist. Consultative services are open to all health professionals and carers with an interest in progressive neurological disorders. Admission to the on-site assessment program will be determined at the time of each request. A confirmed neurological diagnosis is preferred.

Enquiries

For further information on the Neurological Outreach Program, the Co-ordinator can be contacted Monday - Friday 9.00 - 5.00 pm on (03) 9595 3355.

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