Physiotherapy (Community)

Community Physiotherapy is not an emergency service. Patients requiring emergency care should be directed to the hospital Emergency Department.

Priority appointments are provided for patients meeting clinical criteria.

North and North West

Information unavailable at this time.

South

Community Physiotherapy primarily supports adults living in the community with a range of conditions/care needs including:

• strains, sprains, osteoarthritis, fractures
• post-surgical and acute hospital admission
• neck/back and other joint problems
• mild strokes and neurological conditions
• falls/balance problems
• walking aid prescription
• respiratory conditions
• ante and post-natal care
• specific exclusions of service are listed under 'Additional Information' below.

Other Services Offered:

Under 18's are seen if presenting with simple Orthopaedic conditions but should otherwise be referred to Paediatric services - (see exclusions below).

More information

• Physiotherapy in your community
• Managing Your Back Pain Booklet
• Understanding Persistent Pain Booklet

Appointments are made on clinical priority. Wait times depend on the acuity of the presentation and risk of deterioration without intervention. Incomplete referrals reduce accuracy and efficiency of referral prioritisation. This can result in delays in access.

All referrals are required to:

• Conform to the referral standards
• Contain date of onset/duration of condition.

eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service and is available in All regions. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see the creating an eReferral quick guide.

Referrals that do not meet requirements will be returned for more complete information.

There are a number of specific exclusions to the service.

Funding exclusions

An alternative source of funding is available for the patient.  Community Physiotherapy is funded by the Tasmanian State Government, and Commonwealth Government (through CHSP), to provide physiotherapy services to eligible clients living in the community.

Community Physiotherapy does not provide a service to:

• compensable (MAIB, Workers Compensation or DVA) clients (where a private provider is available)
• clients who receive Level 3 or 4 packages
• residents of residential aged care facilities
• clients exercising private health insurance options
• Clients accessing the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Program funded through Medicare rebate. Patients choosing to access this funding will be referred onto a private provider.
• Group Home/Supported Living clients (where a private provider is available/assumed)
• NDIS clients where their presenting condition is related to their disability and funding is allocated to Physiotherapy Services.

Clinical exclusions

• Occupational health and safety assessments, workplace audits and manual handling training.
• Wheelchair prescription, modification or equipment for pressure care
• Provision of thrombo-embolic deterrent stockings (TEDS)
• Behaviour management or modification programs
• Interventions specifically for the management of weight loss
• Specialised inpatient or outpatient services (available through RHH, CRU, St Giles or other):

Paediatrics

• Interventions for paediatric presentations that are primarily of a neurological, respiratory or developmental origin.

Cardiorespiratory

• Interventions for sleep apnoea, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
• Interventions for adult cystic fibrosis
• Indications for intervention where a client's multiple, complex medical conditions impact on their respiratory management

Neurological

• Interventions for spasticity and contracture management (i.e. Botox, serial casting)
• Interventions for neurological clients requiring complex single disciplinary input or a multi-disciplinary model of care

Hands, Burns and Plastics

• Interventions for complex acute hand trauma (i.e. tendon repairs)
• Interventions for complex elective surgeries (i.e. tendon transfers, hand joint replacements)

Complex Persistent Pain

• Interventions for complex regional pain syndrome
• Indications for multidisciplinary input as outlined in the Physiotherapy Outpatient Referral Management for Complex Persistent Pain Clinical Guideline (pending)

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website - please note this content is currently being updated.