Specialist rehabilitation services
Most rehabilitation services cover a range of health conditions.
However, there are more specialised rehabilitation services available for certain health conditions.
Amputee specialist services
Specialised inpatient amputee rehabilitation service is provided at Fiona Stanley Hospital (external link).
Amputee complex care coordination
Most metropolitan hospitals also offer general inpatient amputee rehabilitation services.
In addition, the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (external site) also provides:
- outpatient amputee rehabilitation
- outreach service to support outpatient amputee rehabilitation services.
These services are provided by multidisciplinary teams that include a:
- consultant rehabilitation physician
- physiotherapist
- social worker
- clinical psychologist
- podiatrist
- occupational therapist.
Hospital health professionals will help to make a referral to these specialised outpatient amputee rehabilitation services for you.
This home-based service aims to prevent or reduce falls in older people by providing:
- an individual home assessment to develop a falls prevention strategy to reduce the risk factors that contribute to falls
- comprehensive falls assessment for older people presenting to emergency departments with a fall or falls related injuries, who are not admitted as an inpatient and do not require rehabilitation in the home
- a coordinated approach; a partnership of the older person at risk of falls with their general practitioner, carers and relevant service providers.
Falls services are also available from day therapy units at metropolitan public hospitals.
There is no cost involved but you will need a referral from your GP.
Paediatric intensive rehabilitation
Paediatric intensive rehabilitation, referred to as iRehab, is a unique intensive outpatient rehabilitation service for children and adolescents.
Speech retraining at iRehab
iRehab operates as a day unit at Perth Children's Hospital (external site).
The service targets children with:
- acquired brain injury
- congenital or acquired spinal cord injury
- musculoskeletal conditions
- neurological disorders.
The iRehab team develops individualised programs for children to improve their functional outcomes, particularly activities of daily living.
Typically a program involves the children attending the iRehab service 1 day a week for approximately 6 to 8 weeks, where they will receive therapy from the multidisciplinary team.
The children’s carers are also encouraged to actively participate in the rehabilitation program.
The team maintains close links with leading national and international research and therapy programs
Parkinson's specialist service
A specialist outpatient rehabilitation service for people living with Parkinson’s is available at:
North Metropolitan Parkinson’s Service, Osborne Park Hospital
- specialist medical consultation
- outpatient rehabilitation clinic
- outreach mobile nursing service.
There is no cost involved but you will need a referral from your GP.
Stroke specialist services
Specialised inpatient and outpatient stroke rehabilitation services are available at these hospitals:
Stroke rehabilitation services in country areas
In WA, 4 regions have developed resource centres with stroke coordinators and allied health therapists.
They work together with metropolitan services to improve coordination and therapy for stroke patients:
- South West region – Bunbury Hospital
- Great Southern region – Albany Hospital
- Midwest region – Geraldton Hospital
- Goldfields region – Kalgoorlie Hospital.
Specialised outpatient stroke rehabilitation clinics have been established at these sites.
Where to get help
Acknowledgements
Aged and Continuing Care Directorate
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
