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Physiotherapy - Community | Waitematā
Public Service, Community, Physiotherapy
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Description
The goal of Community Physiotherapy is to work with patients and their family/ whānau to help the patient reach their potential and to live as independently as possible, through assessment and intervention specific to the home and community environment.
About the Service
- Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the community physiotherapist can see patients in a community clinic or in the patient’s home, depending on where their needs can best be assessed.
- Community Physiotherapy can provide:
- An assessment of a patient’s current health condition and how they are coping at home.
- A personal rehabilitation programme for a patient.
- Advice and education for patients, their carers, family and whānau.
- Assessment for, and possible provision of, walking aids or other equipment which enables people to remain independent.
- Chest physiotherapy, including advice and education.
How do I access this service?
Referral
Entry Criteria: Community Physiotherapy
Please note due to limitations on service capacity we are unable to accept patients where there is no indication there is significant functional limitation or those whose referral does not provide adequate detail relating to the impact to function, activity and/or quality of life. Please see referral details for information required to effectively triage; if the appropriate information is not provided the referral may be declined or delayed in being processed.
- Patients with reduced or diminished function, activity or participation due to a temporary or permanent illness, injury (non-ACC) or disability, where the patient is housebound or their needs are specific/ related to the home environment AND they are unable to access, or are unsuitable for the outpatient physiotherapy service.
- Adults over the age of 16 years.
- Children under the age of 16 years with personal health issues and/or respiratory conditions.
Entry Criteria: In-Home Strength & Balance Prevention Programme
Patients must be:
- a Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā district resident
- Māori and Pacific Island people aged >65 years, and all others aged >75 years, living in the community (not in residential care or hospital) who respond positively to any one of the following:
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- Have you slipped, tripped or fallen in the last year?
- Do you have to use your hands to get out of a chair?
- Have you avoided some activities because you are afraid you might lose your balance?
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- Cognitively able to participate in a strength and balance programme (can be with family/whānau/carer for support to practice exercises).
- The individual must be motivated and willing to participate in a strength and balance programme and consent to a referral.
- Too frail to access a community group programme safely usually indicated by:
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- Use of a walking aid indoors, and/or
- Receiving a personal care package, and/or
- Transitioning from a community based hospital discharge programme.
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Patients must also commit to completing:
- 30 minutes of prescribed exercises 3x a week for 12 months; and
- 30 minutes of walking 2x a week for 12 months.
Exclusion Criteria: In-Home Strength & Balance Prevention Programme
Patient is:
- Wheelchair or bed bound
- Receiving end of life care or has a terminal illness (< 12 months)
- New complex frailty issues that require addressing by GP and/or Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā district funded services prior to commencing a programme.
For any queries pertaining to Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā patients please contact Peter Butterworth Physiotherapy on 021 806 098
Contact us
Make an appointment
Walk in
Website / App
Referral Expectations
Referral Expectations: Community Physiotherapy
Please note due to limitations on service capacity we are unable to accept patients where there is no indication of significant functional limitations or those whose referral does not provide adequate detail relating to the impact to function, activity and/or quality of life. If the appropriate information is not provided the referral may be declined or delayed in being processed.
A referral must include the following information:
- Falls: frequency/ when/ where
- Fear of falling: e.g. has avoided activities due to fear of losing balance
- Mobility: do they have a mobility aid and do they use it/ walking distance/ balance
- Functional strength: e.g. difficulty standing from toilet/chair.
Please note we are unable to provide assessment for walkers that are for outdoor use only, as this does not meet the Ministry of Health criteria and these would need to be privately purchased.
Please telephone the Referral Screener for all requests, information and advice:
Phone: (09) 486 8945 ext 43222 (8.00am - 4.30pm; Monday to Friday)
Email: OlderAdultsHomeHealth@Waitematadhb.govt.nz (for referrals)
Referrals accepted from:
- Self or, with the patient's permission, family/ whānau.
- GPs or other health professionals.
Referrals are not accepted for the following:
- People already receiving care from another service provider of the same or similar discipline.
- People whose physiotherapy needs can be appropriately met through Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā outpatient physiotherapy and are able to attend in-hospital outpatient clinic appointments if required.
- Patients who are eligible for ACC funded physiotherapy.
- Referrals for falls prevention - if over 75 years of age, should be referred to the in-home strength and balance programme.
- Referrals for assessment for lighter walkers or walkers for outdoor use only - this does not meet Ministry of Health funding criteria and will need to be privately funded.
- Children under the age of 16 years (except for those with acute respiratory conditions).
- Residents living in residential homes/care facilities who require ongoing treatment.
- Assessment of complex wheelchair and level two seating (should go directly to Mobility Solutions).
- Children with a disability who are over 16 years and still attend school (seen by Child Development Service).
Referral Expectations: In-Home Strength & Balance Prevention Programme
Patients need to have an identified fall risk/strength and balance issue (recent fall, difficulty getting out of a chair, or reduced activity due to fear of falling) and be too frail to attend a community group programme.
Hours
Mon – Fri | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
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Except on public holidays
Document Downloads
- Older Adults and Home Health Services Referral Form (PDF, 638.8 KB)
Website
Contact Details
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This page was last updated at 11:21AM on February 15, 2023. This information is reviewed and edited by Physiotherapy - Community | Waitematā.