Spinal Injury Rehabilitation
The Spinal Team provides specialist rehabilitation for adults who have experienced a spinal cord injury. People can experience a spinal cord injury from a traumatic event (e.g. sporting, recreational, motor vehicle or work related accident) or from complications of other medical issues (e.g. cancer or infection).
Rehabilitation appointments are provided within the Community Rehabilitation Centre (at the McKellar Centre in North Geelong) and can also be provided at the person’s home or in the local community.
The Community Rehabilitation Centre has a purpose built gym, access to specialist rehabilitation equipment and customised clinical treatment spaces. A hydrotherapy pool is also available on site and clients can access the pool as part of their physiotherapy with the Spinal Team.
We deliver goal-focused and time-limited rehabilitation. Client appointments can be individual or within a group and are based around the person’s goals for recovery.
The Spinal Team commonly supports people to:
- manage day to day tasks at home
- adjust to and manage the changes that can occur after spinal injury (e.g. changes to bladder, bowel, sexual function and skin integrity)
- return to study or work
- return to sport, hobbies and social activities
- return to driving
The Spinal Team is made up of health professionals from a range of disciplines who all have experience working with people after spinal cord injury. These include rehabilitation medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, clinical psychology, exercise physiology, recreation therapy, dietetics and podiatry.
The Spinal Team has links with the Victorian Spinal Cord Service from Austin Health including a visiting bi-annual spinal cord injury clinic held at the McKellar Centre.
Cost
There is no out of pocket cost for appointments.
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and WorkSafe will cover the cost of rehabilitation for people with an approved claim.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may provide funding for appointments and equipment for people who are registered and have an approved plan.
How to refer
A General Practitioner (GP), medical specialist or any health professional can make a referral. Referrals are received by:
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (03) 4215 6376
Post: McKellar Community Rehabilitation Centre
45-95 Ballarat Road, North Geelong 3215
PO Box 281, Geelong VIC 3220
Electronic referral: referralNET (Geelong region only)
In your referral, please include a summary of the person’s medical diagnosis, current symptoms and issues, goals for rehabilitation and any relevant risks.
All referrals are triaged and if not suitable for community rehabilitation, the referral may be forwarded on to a more appropriate service or feedback provided to the referrer.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 12 September 2023
For further information
To find out more please contact the Spinal Care Coordinator on 4215 5301.