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Physiotherapy

Services We Offer

Inpatients

General service hours are from 8.30am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Services are provided to all inpatient areas with a number receiving 7 days per week, although evenings and weekends are on a limited basis. ICU is staffed from 7.30am daily until midnight. Weekend service is limited to acute care patients who comply with our selection criteria. Rehabilitation work is not done on weekends.

In addition to covering the general ward areas, special areas of mention include:

Outpatients

Hours 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday only.

Services are generally limited to public patients referred from hospital clinics, Emergency Department or at discharge from acute inpatient care. Medical referrals are mandatory. Community (GP) referrals can only be accepted by the Curtin University Physiotherapy Clinic, who will charge a small fee. They may be contacted via 61 8 9346 2337 during business hours.

A waiting list may apply to some of the following areas dependent upon demand.

Outpatient service areas include the following :

Domiciliary

A home visiting service, for eligible patients, is provided through physiotherapists employed under the Hospital’s Home Link Department.

Curtin Physiotherapy Clinic

The Curtin Physiotherapy Clinic is operating in A Block, SCGH. The clinic accepts GP referrals, and staff with no ancillary cover are also eligible to attend.

The clinic is staffed by final year physiotherapy students under the supervision of a full time experienced physiotherapist employed by the University.

If you have a musculoskeletal problem that requires physiotherapy assessment and treatment, you can make an appointment by phoning the Physiotherapy Department on 61 8 9346 2337. Please request the Curtin Clinic when you make your appointment.

No referral is required for SCGH staff. To cover the costs of running the clinic, a small fee is charged.

Department Contact Details

Address: Physiotherapy Department
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Hospital Avenue
Nedlands 6009

Phone: 61 8 9346 2337
Fax: 61 8 9346 3037

Physical Location

The main Department is located on the ground floor of “A” Block which has its front entrance facing the end of Verdun Street, Nedlands. Parking is available in the car park opposite (pay parking), or short duration limited parking on the roundabout facing the front door. There is a drop off point with ramp at the front door. This location is used by nearly all of our outpatients, including hydrotherapy patients, neurology, respiratory, cardiac, general orthopaedic outpatients, except for Day Hospital and amputees (see below).

If approaching through the hospital via Watling Street (main internal thoroughfare) then the entrance to the Department is opposite the Chemist in E Block. You will see a sign (ceiling level) pointing you in the right direction and welcome signs above our entrance door a few metres down the corridor into “A” Block.

Our Day Hospital treatment area is located in ”C” Block near the main entrance facing Hospital Avenue. This entrance is also used for amputee outpatients.

Other physical locations are utilised for inpatient care and include the 5th Floor Gym in G Block (G52), the 6th Floor Gym in G Block (G61), the Sub Acute Medical Unit Gym (C16), the Gerontology Gym (C14), and the Amputee Gym (C Block).

Hydrotherapy Pool

The hydrotherapy facility in “A” Block includes a 12 m x 5 m heated pool (34 degrees C), 4 showers, office space, change rooms and toilets. The pool is gently sloped from 1 m deep to 1.6 m deep and is accessed via steps with hand rails or a seat hoist. A Hydrotherapy Attendant assists patients to shower and dress if necessary. Pool classes generally last 50 minutes and patients are grouped into classes according to the nature of their condition. Patients must be assessed by a physiotherapist either on the ward or in outpatients prior to commencing hydrotherapy. General contraindications apply to pool entry and water testing is done regularly.

The pool can be hired for periods of time where it is not in use by the department. Contact the Head of Department on (08) 9346 2337 for more details.

About Us

What is Physiotherapy?

The primary function of Physiotherapy is the restoration of the patient's function. Physiotherapists assess and diagnose the physical problem, then plan and administer treatment programs that aim to restore normal function or minimise dysfunction after injury or disease.

Physiotherapists strive to improve an individual's total quality of life by physical means. A combination of education, manipulative therapy, splinting, movement training, exercise, respiratory techniques and other physical and electrotherapeutic agents are used to achieve this.

When is Physiotherapy needed?

Best results are obtained if a person is seen as soon as possible after an injury or the onset of a disease process to minimise any disabling effects and to expedite quicker recovery. In the case of chronic or progressive illnesses, the aim is to maximise physical function and improve quality of life.

Physiotherapists provide assessment and treatment in a range of situations and conditions including but not limited to musculoskeletal dysfunction such as fractures, soft tissue injuries, back or neck pain, amputation, post plastic surgery, inflammatory disorders, etc; acute and chronic pain, stress incontinence, neurological disorders, respiratory disorders, post heart attack for exercise and education, and immobility due to ageing or disease.

Education

Undergraduate Education

The Department hosts up to 20 final year physiotherapy students at any one time over the year. Our staff supervise, teach, and appraise students on their 4 or 5 week clinical placements. Students attend for approximately 30 hours per week during which they also receive limited supervision from Curtin University staff. Groups of 2nd and 3rd year students also visit the site on short clinical visits.

Postgraduate Education

Staff assist wherever possible with post graduate student research projects which may form part of their Masters or PHD programs.

Work Experience

We do not offer work experience other than occasional department tours when demand warrants. Our staff are too busy managing their other student commitment to take on further responsibility.

Physiotherapists requiring refresher training in order to re-enter the workforce may be accepted. Contact the Head of Department via 08 9346 2337 to discuss.

Physiotherapists who are not registered to practice in WA and are seeking clinical practice prior to undergoing the AECOP (registration exam) process may negotiate some time here.

Research

Physiotherapists are employed in a few research positions at this hospital and other departmental based staff assist with clinical research trials. The department encourages and supports research endeavours as much as possible.

A research trust fund has been established to support staff with time requirements.

We have introduced a joint appointment with Curtin University for the Associate Professor in Cardiopulmonary Sciences to promote research into clinical practice.

We also have staff working in the Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute and with orthopaedic surgeons.

The department regularly organises evidence based research update seminars for our staff to disseminate their findings.

Equipment available for research includes the Kinetek (Force Dynamometer) and balance equipment such as the Balance Master.

Employment

We employ base grade and senior physiotherapists, physiotherapy assistants, a Hydrotherapy Attendant, a Plaster Technician, and clerical staff.

Permanent positions are advertised in The West Australian Newspaper on a Saturday or on the www.jobs.wa.gov.au website, but many temporary positions arise that just require sending though a CV. Contact the Head of Department via 08 9346 2337 to discuss any job opportunities.

We also have a casual pool of suitably qualified physiotherapists available to fill shortages in acute care areas such as ICU.

The department offers a supportive environment in which to work including regular education events, conference assistance, research activities, quality improvement activities, social activities, and staff development programs.