ALLIED HEALTH
The BRHS Allied Health team provides supplementary health care services to the East Gippsland community for both inpatients and outpatients.
The BRHS Allied Health team provides supplementary health care services for inpatients and outpatients including:
- dietetics
- hand therapy
- lymphoedema clinic
- occupational therapy
- physiotherapy
- podiatry
- social work, and
- speech pathology.
These services are available to all people through a GP referral or, in some cases, self-referral. Consultation fees may apply. We will tell you about any fees when we book your appointment.
Referrers: how to contact us
To send a referral for any Allied Health service to our Central Intake team, please:
- email central.intake@brhs.com.au
- fax: (03) 5150 3663 or phone (03) 5150 3468, or
- use the Allied Health referral template.
Minimum referral information
Whether you have been referred to BRHS or you are self-referring, we need to know some information so that we can accept and prioritise your case. This includes:
- patient demographic information
- referrer demographic information
- the reason for referral
- your medical issue, and how it affects you
- the service(s) you need, and
- your current patient management including relevant medical history.
We will not accept referrals that don’t have enough information. If that happens, we will write to the referrer and client.
Referral process
The Central Intake team will prioritise your referral and contact you to arrange your appointment or advise if you are on a waiting list.
We will send an acknowledgement letter to you and your referrer containing information regarding your appointment. It will be sent via SMS/text message to your mobile phone, emailed or sent in the post. If you have a preference, please discuss this with our staff.
If you haven’t heard from our Central Intake team or you’re concerned we have not received your referral, please phone (03) 5150 3468.
Referrals will be streamed into 2 categories.
- High Priority (1): To be seen within 30 business days from referral date. This category is for patients with a condition that may deteriorate quickly, with significant consequences for health and quality of life if not managed promptly.
- Routine (2): Must be scheduled within 365 days. This category is for patients with other conditions that are unlikely to deteriorate quickly or have significant consequences to their health and quality of life if the service is delayed beyond 30 calendar days.
Rapid access: Patients that have been discharged from an allied health service recently can gain “rapid access” if they need re-referral with the same presenting problem within 30 days.
Booking an appointment
To discuss the referral process, waiting times and/or arrange an initial appointment for all Allied Health related service, phone Central Intake on (03) 5150 3468.
For all follow up appointments, phone Allied Health on (03) 5150 3388.
Estimated wait times
| High Priority (1) | Routine (2) | |
Continence Diabetes Dietetics | Within 30 days | Within 6-12 months |
| Hand therapy | Within 30 days | Within 6-12 months |
| Lymphoedema | Within 30 days | Within 6-12 months |
| Occupational therapy | Within 30 days | Within 6-12 months |
| Physiotherapy | Within 30 days | Within 6-12 months |
| Podiatry | Within 30 days | Within 6-12 months |
| Social work | Within 30 days | N/A |
| Speech pathology | Within 30 days | Within 6-12 months |
Referrals not accepted
Exclusion criteria
Home Care Packages or NDIS referrals for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry services
Dietetics
- General fitness.
- Sports nutrition.
- Healthy eating without other complications or co-morbidities.
- Paediatric:
o Introducing solids to a well and thriving baby without any comorbidities.
o Constipation in otherwise well and thriving child and where food allergy is not suspected.
o Other general diet/nutrition concern in otherwise well and thriving children.
Physiotherapy
- NDIS functional assessments.
- Return to work or workplace assessments.
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy.
- Paediatric physiotherapy.
Occupational therapy
- Specialised return-to-work or workplace assessments.
- Paediatric occupational therapy.
Lymphoedema clinic
- Swelling associated with untreated acute heart or kidney failure
- Untreated cellulitis or wounds.
- Groin, neck or head swelling.
Speech pathology
- Children with speech and/or language difficulties.
Podiatry
- General nail care on clients with no medical history or who have been deemed low risk.
- Referral from a GP or other health professional is advised with priority given to patients at risk of developing foot infection, ulceration and/or tissue breakdown.
Allied Health referral template
Scroll up for details about the referral process, mimimum referral information, waiting lists and how to book appointments.
Other services
Social work
BRHS social workers provide counselling, support, information, advocacy and referrals for patients and their families as they adjust to hospital, cope with changed health needs and determine the most appropriate care for them.
We offer services to inpatients, outpatients and, where appropriate, their relatives.
Telehealth
Telehealth appointments are now offered in certain BRHS clinics and services. The relevant specialist will determine if Telehealth is suitable for your care.
Group services
BRHS offers a range of group programs.
If these are suitable for you, Central Intake may offer them to you or we will discuss them with you at your appointment. There are group programs for pulmonary rehabilitation, balance, healthy lifestyles and personal alarm information. Let us know at referral if you are interested.
Cardiac rehabilitation referrals are managed through community nursing.
- Allied Health
- central.intake@brhs.com.au
- 03 5150 3468
- 122 Day Street, Bairnsdale VIC 3875, Australia
