Allied health staff

Pastoral Care

Darryl Sidey

provides support for the emotional, social, spiritual and physical well-being of patients and their families
responds to the needs of all patients in matters of faith
offers grief and bereavement support as needed to carers and families
offers support to consider and plan for end-of-life issues.

Anne Hardy
Christie Barrett
Ann Crome

Interventions are provided by social workers in a variety of ways including:

adjustment to the progression of illness, recognising people react in different ways
identify and address the impact of illness including emotional, social and financial concerns
provide counselling to individuals and families
promote communication between treating teams and individuals to foster a sense of control by participating in decisions relating to their care
provide information about Enduring Power Of Attorney and Wills
refer to agencies for ongoing support in your community.

Amy Chiu

liaising with medical, nursing, and allied health staff in developing a supportive plan in managing a patient’s mental health whilst undergoing treatment or in hospital
provide support to carers, partners, children of the patient, and any other significant persons as they may be at risk of presenting with psychological difficulties during the end of life care
offer assessment and appropriate psychological intervention to patients with pre-morbid mental health conditions or complicated adjustment issues (i.e. coping with a changed body image, changes in cognitive function), that impacts on their quality of life and interferes with the hospital admission and/or treatment
provide psychological support on complicated grief reactions.

Ann Hyatt
Michelle Morcom
Merilyn Tefay

maintaining a client centred approach through highlighting patients' priorities, to encourage a sense of independence and control
assessing patients' self-care abilities and recommending appropriate equipment to aid independence and comfort, throughout their disease progression
education of patients and carers in the use of prescribed equipment
referral to community Occupational Therapists to assess for appropriate home modifications e.g. grab rails or hand held shower hose
assessment of ability to carry out domestic tasks and fulfil roles within the home/community environment
teaching strategies to patients and carers to assist in the management of symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath and pain
management of oedema
assisting in adaptation to changing functional levels and roles
working with patients and carers to implement anxiety and stress management strategies.

Shane McNamara

liasing with staff, patients and their carers to ensure a patient-based management plan for their ongoing care
providing cardiorespiratory physiotherapy when required
conducting mobility assessments then making recommendations to help maintain patients' function and independence
assessment and treatment of pain-causing musculoskeletal conditions that are separate to or secondary to their disease for increased comfort
assisting in the sourcingof mobility aids as required then educating patients and their carers in the safe use of mobility aids
providing exercise programs to improve or maintain function, independence, quality of life and safety through improved or maintained strength, endurance and balance.

10B Ward Pharmacist

ensure appropriate doses of medications to optimise treatment.
ensure appropriate administration of medications.
provide advice on side effects of medications and management.
provide advice about interactions between medications, including complementary medicines.
provide education about medications.
provide advice to medical, nursing and allied health professionals on medications and related issues.

Lisa Pattie
Sharon Rochester

dietitians support and provide advice to patients, families and carers
prescribe individual nutrition plans to reduce symptoms and to assist patients to meet their goals and nutrition requirements
provide nutrition supplements and education as required for both inpatients and outpatients.

Michelle Carter
Majella Till

provide advice and practical support for people with communication difficulties (eg. listening, understanding, speaking) resulting from their medical condition.
work together with patients, families, friends and staff to facilitate optimal communication so that:
- needs and desires can be expressed
- social closeness is maintained
- essential information related to care is understood
provide help with chewing and swallowing difficulties so that eating and drinking is as safe, comfortable and satisfying as possible
provide oral care plans to assist with oral hygiene and saliva management
provide education and assistance when mouth problems (eg. dry mouth, sore mouth/throat, oral thrush, taste changes) affect the variety of textures and amounts that are usually eaten.