TranslateCommunity Rehabilitation Unit (CRU)
Outpatients
Information about multidisciplinary outpatient clinics for adults with complex or specialised rehabilitation needs. Individual and group sessions with one or more team members are offered.
The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form. This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date. If you receive this SMS, please update your details. Outpatient Central Services can be contacted on 1300 522 809.
Availability
North
South based service.
North West
South based service.
Emergency conditions
This is not an emergency service.
Emergency care
If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.
Scope
Patients must be 18 years or over, or have finished school and reside in the southern region.
North and North West patients should be referred to individual services.
Referral process
Eligibility Criteria
Patients may have a range of diagnoses: stroke, brain dysfunction/brain injury, amputations, spinal cord injuries, neurological conditions (such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Cerebral Palsy and other neurological and neuromuscular conditions), complex arthritis, complex orthopaedic and multi-trauma.
The CRU multidisciplinary team supports the Aged Care and Rehabilitation Medical Specialist Clinics including Rehabilitation, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Spasticity Management, Aged Care, Parkinson's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.
A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians.
eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service and is available in all THS regions. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see Quick Guide: Creating an eReferral.
Specific requirements include information about previous treatment especially if not obtained at the THS - Southern Region.
Referrals are registered by the clinic to which they are referred and are triaged according to the specific clinic guidelines.
Appointments are based on clinical priority.
Where available, eReferral via HealthLink smart forms is now the preferred and only secure method of referral to the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Additional information
CRU provides:
- Specialist management of spinal cord injury, moderate to severe brain injury, amputees, spasticity and Parkinson disease
- High or low intensity rehabilitation following a new health event or injury
- Single discipline intervention in high complexity clients and where services are not otherwise available in the community
- Hydrotherapy
- Episodic restorative therapy in chronic neurological conditions such as Parkinson Disease and Multiple Sclerosis
- Power wheelchair and scooter prescription and training
- Pick up times responsive to the client's needs.
In situations where transport issues may prevent attendance at CRU, a bus service may be available. Access to the bus service is dependent upon the client meeting strict eligibility criteria including geographical location.
For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.
