Occupational Therapy

Our Occupational Therapists (OTs) work within the hospital, in day or outpatient programs and in people’s homes.

Our role is to enable you to regain optimal safe and functional independence in everyday tasks.

Your OT will identify with you and/or your family what you were able to do before your admission and what you need to be able to do again to return home safely.

We will also help you identify what is stopping you from performing certain tasks and assist you to problem solve and/or teach you alternative ways of doing these tasks.

Inpatients

An OT is able to assist you in our medical, surgical, acute medical and ICU wards and in the emergency department.

In the community

It may be necessary for your ward OT to visit your home and identify any hazards or difficulties you experience when carrying out everyday tasks such as making a meal, getting on and off your bed or entering in and out of your shower.

If required, you may be provided with equipment to assist with these tasks and/or be shown other ways of performing these tasks.

Your general practitioner (GP) may refer you to the OT Home Visiting service if you have mentioned difficulties with these or similar issues. If you are referred to this service, you will receive a phone call from an OT who will arrange a visit to your home.

A homecare carpenter may also visit to install rails or ramps in your home if necessary.

Outpatients

Our OTs provide outpatient services in the following areas:

Community Rehabilitation

This service is for people under 65 years of age who need intensive rehabilitation for about six weeks to achieve their goals for living/working in the community.  This service is provided in the Community Rehabilitation Centre located at the hospital or in your home.

Day Therapy

This service is for people over 65 years of age who need additional therapy following hospitalisation, injury or illness to achieve their goal of living in the community and to avoid readmission to the hospital. This service is provided either at the hospital or in your home.

Outpatient

Outpatient OT appointments are usually for people who require a splint for their hand or arm and need further training to help their hand and/or arm improve functionally. You will usually be referred to the OT by your surgeon, GP or ward OT or another allied health professional.

Mental Health

Our team provides group and individual occupational therapy services within the Armadale Mental Health Service in the following areas:

• adult inpatient wards – (Banksia, Karri and Leschen) 
• transitional rehabilitation program – (Karri and Leschen wards)
• outpatient transitional rehabilitation program for adults aged 18 to 65.

Our OTs in mental health help people to maintain and/or learn new skills in the areas of self care, leisure and productivity to enable you to manage your daily tasks independently and engage in the community.

Equipment Returns

If you no longer require any equipment that has been provided by your OT, you can return it at the “Equipment Returns” area located at the entrance of the Carl Streich Rehabilitation Unit Outpatient Department (left of the main entrance under the Pink Marri Flower sign).

You are able to park your vehicle in the undercover area while unloading the equipment.

Please complete the “Equipment Return Form” available at the foyer. If you need any assistance to unload the equipment, please contact the outpatient reception staff.