Health Independence Program (HIP)

Referral process

Populate required information on the referral form then print and fax to 03 8754 ​​3281​.

Step 1

​Essential referral content will be checked. You will be contacted if further information is required.

If requesting an urgent review please include relevant detail and results.

Acknowledgement of referral receipt will occur within seven working days.

Step 2

The referral will be triaged by a specialist according to clinical urgency.

This determines how long the patient will have to wait for an appointment.

Step 3

Patients with urgent conditions are scheduled to be seen within 30 days.

Patients with non-urgent conditions are given the next available appointment according to clinical need.

Both the referrer and patient are notified.

Additional information

Care Provided and Eligibility Criteria

Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR)

Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) offers multidisciplinary assessment and treatment to clients over the age of 16 who are disabled, frail, chronically ill or recovering from surgery or traumatic injury, to achieve and retain the best function possible. It is time limited and does not offer maintenance therapy or case management. The therapists and client set rehab goals together and then work toward achieving them through the rehab program. The service can be delivered in the center or at a person’s home. Access to the service is prioritised according to clinical need. Generally single discipline referrals are not accepted, exceptions include high priority Speech Pathology and some Physiotherapy As a specialist physiotherapy service we also offer vestibular physiotherapy.

• over 16yrs of age
• achievable rehab goals
• medically stable
• reside in catchment area or have significant history with WMH. Those out of region will not have home visits or transport subsidies via taxis.

Complex Care

The Complex Care program is a short term care coordination service provided by multidisciplinary clinicians who supports people over 18 years of age with chronic disease and/ or complex needs to better understand and manage their health and social needs. The program provides goal-orientated strategies to self-manage their health including education specific to the client’s medical condition.

• moderate to severe chronic disease
• significant complex and psychosocial needs
• frequently present due to complex social, functional, psychological or environmental
  needs who require short term care coordination.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

This program helps improve the well-being of people who have a chronic respiratory disease. It is run over 8 weeks with clients attending twice a week for two hours (1 hour education/ 1 hour exercise) Pulmonary Rehab also benefits people who need lung surgery, both before and after surgery.

• over 18 years of age
• clients who have respiratory disease or an exacerbation of or complications of chronic respiratory disease
• a current LFT is required.

Falls and Balance Clinic

• specialist physiotherapy and occupational therapy assessment
• information on appropriate falls prevention measures
• eight weeks physiotherapy program.
  • adults who have experienced falls or near misses and reside in the Wyndham council
    area.
  • prioritise those who have had an injurious fall requiring medical attention/hospitalisation or those who have fallen twice or more without sustaining significant injury in the past 12 months.
  • clinic also appropriate for those reporting significant fear of falling that is impacting on activities of daily living and/or restricting access to the community.

Continence Clinic

Multidisciplinary team of continence clinicians ( continence nurse advisor, continence physiotherapist) who assess, develop management plans and work with adults with urinary and faecal continence issues and pelvic floor related issues

Additional information required on referral:

• has patient been seen by anyone for this problem before e.g. urologist, RWH?
• is the patient on any medication/ creams for this problem?
• has the patient had surgery for this problem?

Adults with bladder, bowel or pelvic floor associated issues e.g. incontinence of urine or faeces,

• frequency
• urgency
• nocturia
• constipation
• prolapse
• pelvic pain
• failed trials of void
• pain with voiding or defecation
• voiding dysfunction.

Continence aid funding

Residential in Reach Service

The objective of RIR services is to provide assessment and management (in appropriate circumstances) of acute medical conditions that would otherwise result in  a resident of a residential aged care service (RACS) unnecessarily presenting to an emergency department or being admitted to hospital. RIR services are not intended to replace or substitute for the care that the resident’s doctor or RACS has responsibility for providing.

Clients have to be a resident of a recognised Aged Care Facility within the Werribee Mercy Hospital catchment area. Referrals may include (but not limited to):

• wound advice – acute only
• PEG tube issues
• IDC issues (including routine changes for males)
• subcutaneous fluids and dehydration management
• intra-venous Antibiotics
• medical assessment when GP not available and resident at risk of hospital transfer
• GP seeking hospital-type treatment in the facility i.e. HITH
• assistance with Advanced Care and end of life care planning.

Contact details

Referral contact details

Enquiries: 03 8754 3800

Fax: 03 8754 ​​3281​