A range of allied health professionals work as members of our team to provide additional support to patients with cancer.
This includes:
Audiology
Audiologists provide hearing health care, specialising in the prevention of hearing loss and in the identification, assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment of hearing disorders. Audiologists assess hearing before, during and after cancer treatments and manage hearing loss associated with cancer treatments.
Please speak to your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns regarding your hearing during cancer treatment and would like to see the Audiologist.
More information regarding Western Health Audiology services can be found here
Dietetics
The main role of Dietitians within the Cancer Services team is to provide support and advice to patients who are experiencing weight loss or malnutrition. Together with the team, our focus is to maintain the strength and nutritional status of our patients, as well as promote quality of life and enjoyment with eating throughout all stages of their cancer journey. We provide individualised nutritional counselling, advice on tube feeding, nutritional supplements and symptom management. Speak to your doctor if you would like to see the Dietitian.
More information regarding Western Health Nutrition/Dietetics services can be found here
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy services are available to inpatients across all wards, outpatient Radiotherapy and Community Based Rehabilitation services. Occupational Therapists provide assessment and intervention that focuses on the occupations central to an individual’s needs and identity within the specific environments that they complete these occupations in. Occupational Therapy services provide support to patients during diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, survivorship and palliative care. Therapy is individually tailored to promote maximum independence utilising task analysis, graded re-training and environmental modification.
Please speak to your doctor or nurse if you would like to see an Occupational Therapist.
More information regarding Western Health Occupational Therapy services can be found here
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists play a key role in the management of cancer patients during their journey from diagnosis and through all the stages of their disease. As cancer patients can present with a wide a range of needs, physiotherapists aim to minimise side effects of treatment and support patients throughout the course of their illness. The physiotherapy focuses on improving quality of life by maximising functional ability, reducing pain, increasing conditioning/mobility and promoting independence.
Western Health physiotherapy services include:
Exercise therapy to improve flexibility, strength and function
Manual therapy and conditioning to relieve and control pain
Cardiorespiratory care for the management of shortness of breath, removal of secretions and energy conservation
Neurological rehabilitation to minimise falls risk and improve balance and mobility
Education on self-management techniques for chronic cancer related conditions
End of life care in the home including manual handling education for carers and provision of mobility equipment.
Please speak to your doctor or nurse if you would like to see a Physiotherapist.
More information regarding Western Health Physiotherapy services can be found here
Psychology
Experiencing a cancer diagnosis and treatment can be very challenging and stressful. The side effects to treatment can be difficult to manage and might impact on a person’s usual ways of coping. Patients with cancer can often feel alone despite having many supports. Psychologists can help the person find new ways to manage and get through what is an understandably very difficult time. Psychologists can also assist patients with:
Low mood
High anxiety and/or stress resulting from diagnosis
Managing treatment
Reminders of past traumas triggered by this new challenge
Fears surrounding the cancer coming back
Psychological adjustment to new limits in the patient’s physical, emotional and cognitive capacity
Adjustment to the cosmetic and emotional consequences of surgery.
Please speak to your doctor or nurse if you would like to see a Psychologist.
More information regarding Western Health Psychology services can be found here
Social Work
Social workers provide clinical support in outpatient radiotherapy, inpatient Oncology, Haematology and Palliative Care Units and the Day Chemotherapy Unit.
Social Work promotes the health and wellbeing of patients and families by focusing on their resilience and strengths. Social Work achieve this through psychosocial assessments, supportive counselling, advocacy and discharge planning. We are informed by an evidence based approach that encompasses teaching, learning and research. Social Work can help and support patients and those around them with the many changes and challenges associated with a diagnosis of cancer and ongoing medical care. Social workers work closely with the multidisciplinary team.
Please speak to your doctor or nurse if you would like to speak to a Social Worker.
More information regarding Western Health Social Work services can be found here
Speech Pathology
Speech Pathologists assess and manage patients with swallowing and communication impairments as a result of cancer and its treatment. They provide a service across the continuum of care, including pre-operative counselling, acute and subacute inpatients, community rehabilitation and specialist outpatient clinics.
If you have concerns with your saliva management, dry mouth, voice, swallow or communication at any time during your treatment you can request for your Doctor to make a referral to Speech Pathology. Your therapist will create an individualised assessment and management plan.
More information regarding Western Health Speech Pathology services can be found here
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