Occupational Therapy: St George Hospital
The goal of Occupational Therapy is to enable a person to function within their environment and perform the activities they need or want to do on a daily basis.
At St George Hospital our Occupational Therapist's work across a whole range of settings including:
| Aged care | Liver | Paediatrics |
| Cardiology | Lymphoedema |
Rehabilitation |
| Cardiothoracic | Medical assessment unit (MAU) | Respiratory |
| Colorectal | Mental Health | Renal |
| Gastroenterology | Neurology | Trauma |
| General medicine | Neurosurgery | |
| Haematology | Oncology | |
| Hand therapy | Orthopaedics |
Outpatient Services:
At St George Hospital we offer a range of community based and outpatient specialist services for people living within the St George and wide SESLHD area.
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a therapy program that can be used to improve the strength, use and function of a weak arm and hand following a stroke or acquired brain injury.
It is an intensive program that is run over a 2 week clinic at Prince of Wales Hospital, St George Hospital and Sutherland Hospital each year. It involves the encouragement of use of the weak (or affected arm) and restraint of the strong (or unaffected arm). Participants will be required to participate in 4 hours of therapy per day, with an additional 1 hour of homework and commit to wearing the restraint (in the form of a soft mitt) for most of the day.
For more information on the SESLHD CIMT program please click here.
Hand therapy
Hand injuries and conditions can happen at any stage of life and include broken bones, lacerations, tendon and ligament damage or conditions include Dupuytren’s contracture, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. St George Hospital provides a district wide comprehensive therapy service which includes assessment, evidence based therapy and custom splinting interventions.
St George Hospital hand therapy service is a joint clinic with both Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, with our senior Occupational Therapist having over 20 years experience. We receive referrals from orthopaedic surgeons, hand surgeons, plastic surgeons, other specialists, GP's and a wide variety of health professions.
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema is the accumulation of excessive amounts of protein-rich fluid resulting in swelling of one or more regions of the body including arms, legs, trunk, breast, head, neck or genital area. Lymphoedema in developed following damage to the lymphatic system and can be a result of some cancer treatments including the removal of lymph nodes, following radiotherapy to lymph node groups or with the progression of malignant disease.
The St George Hospital Lymphoedema service is a joint outpatient service with the Physiotherapy Department, covering all of SESLHD (excluding Royal Women's Hospital who run a service for women having treatment at their facility). Please note this is not a 'clinic', there are no doctors or specialists for diagnosis.
The lymphoedema service provides assessment and treatment for primary and secondary lymphoedema, education on risk factors, lymphoedema and care of the swollen limb, treatment including skin care, exercise, manual lymph drainage massage, compression therapy and laser therapy if indicated, measuring and fitting of compression garments and home programs. As part of the Lymphoedema service, St George run an Early Intervention Clinic for breast cancer to identify patients at risk and provide relevant education and early intervention.
Outpatient Rehabilitation Medicine
The Outpatient Rehabilitation Medicine Occupational Therapy service is a clinic based, multidisciplinary allied health intervention service at St George Hospital. We offer services for patients who reside in the St George area with a variety of neurological conditions. Referral to our service must be from your GP for assessment by our rehabilitation specialists who will then recommend you for Occupational Therapy intervention.
The type of Occupational Therapy intervention is specific to a patient's goals and may include activities of daily living retraining, upper limb retraining, cognitive retraining or community access.
Our department also specialises in spasticity management and Botulinum Toxin injections for clients across the whole SESLHD area as it is a specialised service that is not available at all hospitals.
Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (PARTY) program
In Australia, traumatic injury is the leading cause of death in people under the age of 45. Young people in this age group are grossly over represented in injury and trauma statistics, both in terms of death and long term disability. Road trauma is still one of the most common causes of mortality and catastrophic injury in youth.
The P.A.R.T.Y. program is an interactive experience where participants see what it's really like to be a trauma patient. Through video's, PowerPoint presentations and interactive simulated clinical scenarios, participants will meet health professionals, emergency services personnel (e.g. ambulance officers), and people who have experienced trauma and survived, often with significant disabilities. The P.A.R.T.Y is targeted to students aged 16 years old from local high schools in the St George and Sutherland area.
Our Occupational Therapists are a part of the program, providing practical hands on insight into what it is like for a patient in hospital recovering from a traumatic injury and the impact on their day to day life.
Quick Response Program (QRP)
The Quick Response Program (QRP) is an aged care multidisciplinary community team who provide a short term service (up to 6 weeks) to assist people to remain at home safely. QRP provides a follow up service after an acute event or when there is an urgent concern regarding clients in the community. Referrals come from the Emergency Department at St George Hospital, the aged care wards at St George Hospital and from the community.
Our Occupational Therapist's provide home assessments, assessment of ability to manage at home, assessment and prescription of equipment and home modifications, energy conservation, pressure care.
Rose Cottage Day Rehabilitation Unit
The Rose Cottage Day Rehabilitation Unit is a clinic based, multidisciplinary allied health intervention service of St. George Hospital for recently discharged patients requiring further outpatient rehabilitation. The Rose Cottage Day Rehabilitation Unit is targeted towards people with neurological conditions or following multiple trauma's and aims to provide a holistic, person centred and intensive period of rehabilitation following an inpatient admission. Therapy goals for multiple allied health disciplines are required to meet the Day Rehabilitation Units eligibility criteria.
Occupational Therapy intervention is specific to a patients goals. This may include: activities of daily living retraining ,upper limb retraining, cognitive retraining or community access.
Belgrave Street, Kogarah 2217
Office hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 4.30pm
-33.9659877, 151.1340305
Paediatrics
We are located in Integrated Community Health Service on Level 1 Burt Neilson Wing, St George Hospital.
Outpatient Occupational Therapy
We are located on Level 1 (top floor) of Prince William Wing, St George Hospital. You can enter via Belgrave Street or Kensington Street.
Equipment Hire Pool
The St George Equipment Hire Pool is located at Catherine Cottage, 11 Chapel Street, Kogarah 2217.
Office hours are Monday 8am-12noon, 1.30-4pm, Wednesday and Thursday 8am-12noon, 1.30-4pm. Closed Public Holidays.
Contact number 91132855.
Rose Cottage
We are located at 34 Short Street, St George Hospital.
It is recommended that you ask the receptionist/therapist whilst booking your appointment if there is anything specific you should bring to your outpatient appointment. You may be asked to bring:
- Imaging/scans
- Copy of referral
- Medical reports
- Medicare card and ID
- Comfortable clothing
If you need occupational therapy after leaving hospital you will be referred to our occupational therapy outpatient team. Some services will accept referrals from your local general practitioner (GP).
Once we receive your referral, you will be placed on a waiting list and contacted as soon as an appointment is available. If we think your needs are better met by another service (eg Community Health) we will help you make a referral.
If you have questions regarding this appointment or if you would like to reschedule or cancel this appointment please call the Occupational Therapy Department on 91132395.
Please let us know if you need an interpreter. You can contact us telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter, and the healthcare professional you want to speak with.
We are teaching hospital and you may be asked to be involved in research or for an occupational therapy student to be present at your session under the supervision of an occupational therapist.
Waratah Clinic
The Waratah Clinic is a specialist HIV service. We provide free, confidential and comprehensive care and advice on all aspects of HIV for people living with HIV in the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.
Clinic Hours
Tuesday: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am - 12pm
Thursday: 2:30pm - 6:00pm
Reception staff are available over the phone Monday to Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
Appointments
Appointments for the Waratah Clinic can be made by phone on (02) 9113 2957.
-33.9659622, 151.1361958
| Tuesday | 1:00pm – 3:00pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am – 12pm |
| Thursday | 2:30pm – 6:00pm |
The clinic can be contacted over the phone Monday to Friday from 8:00am – 4:30pm
Appointments for the Waratah Clinic can be made by phone (02) 9113 2957
Your first visit to Waratah Clinic may take over an hour. You will meet our doctors, nurses and social worker. Your first visit will involve a detailed discussion with the doctor about your health and medical history. You will be provided with information and have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you need. You will have some blood tests taken. If you require further support managing your HIV diagnosis, our social worker and nursing staff are available to support you.
Please bring as much of the following as you have:
- Medicare Card (the clinic is free even if you do not have a Medicare card)
- Referral letter from your doctor (if you have one)
- Copies of any test results
- A list of your regular medications
Parking is available at a cost in the multi-storey car park on South St or Hogben St. There is free on-street parking available in the vicinity for up to 2 hours.
For information to assist you in making a new diagnosis of HIV, please refer to the ASHM website.
Waratah Clinic Services include:
- Outpatient consultations
- Pathology collection
- HIV medications
- Clinical trials
- Shared care plans with GPs
- Tests for other sexually transmissible infections
- Nutrition and diet advice
- Interpreter services
- Informal peer support groups for patients and their families
- Information and handouts on HIV related medications and issues
Social Worker/Counsellor is available to:
- Discuss adjustment to be living with HIV
- Discuss treatment options
- Assist with lifestyle changes to optimise health
- Offer counselling for relationship and sexuality issues
- Assist with financial, Centrelink or housing concerns
- Discuss confidentiality and disclosure
To assess drug interactions with antiretroviral therapy, we recommend the following tool:
| Staff Specialists | |
|---|---|
| Infectious Diseases & Immunology | Professor Steven Krilis |
| Infectious Diseases & Sexual Health | A/Prof Pam Konecny |
| Infectious Diseases | Dr Chris Weatherall |
| Infectious Diseases | Dr Richard Sullivan |
| Infectious Diseases | Dr Katy Lai |
| Social Worker | |
| Senior Social worker | Angela Miller |
| Nursing | |
| Clinical Nurse Consultant HIV/Infectious Diseases | Lilian Whelan |
| Registered Nurse | Rob |
| Registered Nurse | Kate |
|
Administration |
|
| Administrator | Lisa |
Please send a referral letter to the Waratah clinic by fax or email: seslhd-stg-waratahclinic@health.nsw.gov.au
Please ensure that all the mandatory information is completed on the form. The referral form ensures that you do not miss any important information to enable a timely and appropriate referral.
Please note the following whilst completing the referral:
- You must address the referral to the Waratah clinic.
- The Infectious Diseases clinic requires referrals from either a GP or a Specialist medical officer.
- You must sign and date the referral and include your provider number and practice address.
- You must provide this referral prior to the appointment date.
A member of our administration team will contact the patient with an appointment date once your referral is received and has been triaged.
If you have not heard from anyone from our team by two weeks, please call (02) 9113 2957 to follow up with your referral.
If an appointment is missed or cancelled, we will call the patient with a plan to reschedule.
We are a Medicare service. You must provide a referral that is addressed to our specialist doctor. Your patient will be bulk billed.
Although, we can still see and manage patients without a Medicare card if applicable.
Department of Endocrinology - Transition and Young Adult Diabetes Service (TrYADS)
TrYADS at St George Hospital in Kogarah is a multidisciplinary clinic that bridges the care of late adolescents and young adults with diabetes.
OUR AIM
- To assist late adolescents and young adults with diabetes engage and maintain connections with the adult health care services during the time of their significant physical, environmental, emotional and psychological change.
- To develop customised diabetes management plans with the goal of improving their long-term wellbeing and health outcomes
REFERRAL CRITERIA
- Age 16-25 years
- Has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes or Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)
- On any treatment including Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII)
TrYADS provides the following on GP or Specialist referral
- Access to same Endocrinologist, Diabetes Educator, Dietitian, and Psychologist
- Liaison with the Paediatric Diabetes Service
- Finger prick HbA1c measurement, Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and Insulin pump download
- Insulin pump start or management
- Capacity for ‘drop in’ visits
- SMS reminders for appointments
- Direct phone access to Diabetes Educator
- Extended hours phone support for sick day management
- Age appropriate education material
- Support with paperwork and negotiating the adult health system
REFERRALS
Please address referrals to Dr Michael Reyes and fax to 9113 2297
LINKS
Clinic Times:
Weekly TUESDAY morning clinic between 8 to 11:30am
Contact:
Ms Denise Craig, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Diabetes Education Centre, Ph: 02 9113 2404, E: Denise.Craig@health.nsw.gov.au
Dr Michael Reyes, Consultant Endocrinologist, Ph: 02 9113 1111, E: Michael.Reyes@health.nsw.gov.au
Referrals:
Please address referrals to Dr Michael Reyes and fax to 9113 2297