Community physiotherapy services - South

What is Community Outreach Physiotherapy?

Community Physiotherapy aims to optimise physical function and enhance independence and quality of life for eligible people within the community.

The physiotherapist will assess a person’s condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan together with their patient. This may include:

• provision of education/advice on their condition and recommended management strategies
• prescription of home exercise programs
• manual therapy techniques as required

Our service places a strong focus on health promotion and active self-management.

What services are provided?

Our service provides:

• individual assessment and treatment
• group exercise programs

A wide range of conditions are treated by Community Physiotherapists - for example:

• chronic long term health conditions such as arthritis
• joint, bone and muscle problems
• mobility problems
• falls/balance problems including vestibular dysfunctions
• post -surgical and acute hospital admission
• persistent pain (non complex)
• ante and post-natal care

Groups/Classes

Physiotherapists in local Community Health Centres may provide:

• strength and balance groups
• osteoarthritis groups (GLaD).

All patients will need to be assessed by a Community Physiotherapist prior to group attendance.

Fees

Currently, this is a free service under State and limited Commonwealth funding. Charges may be introduced with future policy change.

Who is Eligible?

We provide physiotherapy services to clients of all ages, including limited services to paediatric clients (younger than 18 years of age).

We do not provide a service to:

• patients who are covered by current compensation claims such as MAIB, WorkCover or Department of Veterans Affairs
• residents of privately managed residential aged care facilities
• members of the public exercising private health insurance options
• patients on Level 3 and 4 Home Care Packages
• patients on NDIS
• patients referred under GP Chronic Disease Management /Enhanced Primary Care Plan.

Where no private provider is available, exception may apply for clients on home care packages and compensable clients only if it is deemed that there is no advantage is placed on those waiting for public physiotherapy services.

How to access the service?

For GP referrals, we highly recommend using the RMS electronic referral system for timely processing. We also accept referral from health professionals. Email us at [email protected] Please do not send referrals directly to local health centres.

Where are services provided?

Outpatient Treatment in local Community Health Centres.

Home Visits are available when appropriate.

Waiting Times

Service waiting times will vary from centre to centre. Please discuss this when arranging your appointment.  Attending another centre may enable you to be seen earlier if appropriate.

Equipment

Equipment may be recommended as part of your treatment program. Any loan or purchase costs will be discussed

Contact us

Community Outreach 03 6166 7279