IN EARLY 2019 GRIFFITH REHABILITATION HOSPITAL ESTABLISHED A SPECIFIC INPATIENT REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR POST-POLIO SURVIVORS AND THOSE SUFFERING THE LATE EFFECTS OF POLIO. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED AND WILL BE ONGOING FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. THE DETAILS ARE OUTLINED BELOW.
ELIGIBILITY
Griffith Rehabilitation Hospital is a Private Hospital and persons wishing to be admitted into the program will need to have Private Hospital health fund coverage. There are usually no out of pocket expenses, however checks are completed for each participant to identify any specific exclusions or co-payment rules that may exist with some funds so people can make an informed financial choice. Please note, Griffith are unable to advise on eligibility/costs with the interactions outside of private health cover (i.e. the NDIS).
A GP referral is required, and Griffith Rehabilitation can guide people through the relatively straightforward admission process.
To be admitted into the program, participants need to be medically stable and be able to participate in a short stay, individualised rehabilitation program. All participants are admitted under a Rehabilitation Physician who will oversee each rehabilitation program.
The program is aimed at people who can complete 30 minutes of rehabilitation over the course of a day. This program is not set up for someone with a respirator but can include people who use of oxygen via a concentrator or cylinder.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Those admitted receive an assessment and a program that includes fatigue management, pain management, appropriate reconditioning exercise, hydrotherapy (not compulsory), balance/falls prevention and other services which may become apparent through the initial assessment and goal setting.
The typical length of stay is between 5 to 12 days
All meals are provided on site.
For those persons who are not able to consider an inpatient program, Griffith also runs a Day Rehabilitation service. This is also funded from hospital cover (not extras cover) but does not involve overnight stay. Day Rehabilitation is small group-based rehabilitation and comprises of 2-hour sessions (with a break halfway) that includes a gym-based program as well as hydrotherapy (again, not compulsory). The sessions run twice or three times per week for 6 to 8 weeks
ABOUT GRIFFITH PRIVATE HOSPITAL
Griffith Rehabilitation Hospital has a multi-disciplinary team consisting of:
· Rehabilitation Specialists
· Medical Officers
· Rehabilitation Nurses
· Physiotherapists
· Occupational Therapists
Speech Pathologist
Dietician
Other Allied Health staff are also available (e.g. Exercise Physiologists, Podiatrist, Psychologist) as deemed appropriate by the multidisciplinary team.
The Hospital is a 46 room, 64 bed, Private Rehabilitation Hospital, staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by highly skilled nursing staff. Allied Health rehabilitation staff are onsite from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm (Mon to Fri); approximately 8.30 am to 3.00 pm (Saturday) and similar on Sundays and public holidays.
There are GP’s and Rehabilitation Physicians available at differing times during the week but there are NO staffed after-hours doctors. In the event of a significant medical concern patients are transferred by ambulance to an acute hospital facility for appropriate assessment and care.
Please note, no family members are able to stay overnight at the hospital but there are various Motels, Caravan Park etc nearby. All participants must also have a known discharge destination.
Further information regarding admission to Griffith may be obtained by phoning the hospital on (08) 81794200 and speaking to one of our Rehabilitation Assessment Nurses.
Jeff Millen
Allied Health Director
Griffith Rehabilitation Hospital