Occupational therapy

We provide a high-quality, client-centred service that supports people to live meaningful lives. 

Our occupational therapists help people do the everyday activities that are important to them. These may include self-care, work, leisure and connecting with others.

We have more than 100 staff in our occupational therapy service, including occupational therapists and allied health assistants.

We are led by a supportive and dedicated leadership team made up of the Occupational Therapy Manager, Grade 4 and Grade 3 therapists, who guide clinical practice, service development, education and research.

Our staff work across a wide range of services and programs located at Footscray, Sunshine, Williamstown, Bachus Marsh and Melton Hospitals, as well as the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. 

Our therapists support patients in the following areas:

• the Emergency Department
• acute care
• plastics / hand therapy
• paediatrics
• inpatient rehabilitation
• aged care / GEM (ward and home-based)
• the Transition Care Program (bed and community-based programs)
• the Specialised Rehabilitation Program
• palliative care
• radiotherapy
• orthopaedics pre-admission clinics
• the Aged Care Assessment Service
• mental health
• community health
• rapid allied health
• Dame Phylis Frost Centre.

Acute care

In acute hospital settings, occupational therapists help people return to their daily activities after injury or illness. We consider each patient’s:

• physical health
• memory and thinking (cognitive) skills
• social and emotional needs
• environment and support at home.

We work closely with the multidisciplinary team to plan a safe and timely discharge from hospital.

Any patient in the hospital can access occupational therapy – just ask your treating team for a referral.

Aged care and rehabilitation (inpatients and in the community)

For patients who need more time to recover, our team works in subacute care. At Western Health these are aged care wards, rehabilitation wards and the equivalent at-home services. Occupational therapists working on these wards help people:

• regain independence in a range of activities including personal care, domestic tasks, walking around their homes and accessing the community
• use adaptive equipment or make changes in their home
• learn new ways to manage daily activities
• prepare to return home safely and confidently and remain at home.

Paediatric occupational therapy (children)

Our children’s services are designed to support children and their families to overcome developmental or learning challenges so that they can participate fully in their daily lives. We help develop skills in self-care, learning (at school or kinder) and playing and interacting in social environments.

Hand therapy service

Our Occupational Therapy Hand Therapy service provides rehabilitation for individuals with hand and upper limb injuries. Led by experienced therapists, we focus on improving pain, strength, function, and mobility to help patients regain independence in daily activities. Services include:

• custom splinting
• manual therapy
• scar management. 

We accept internal referrals only. GPs and external providers must refer to the hospital’s medical team for assessment. 

Email: [email protected]

Fax: (03) 0345 6856

Opening hours

Occupational therapists in most areas work 8am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, with minimal services available on some sites on weekends. 

We are actively involved in research and quality improvement projects to make sure our care is safe, effective and based on evidence. 

Clinically based research is supported through collaboration with the Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy. This is a joint appointment with Deakin University and Western Health and supports our clinician's involvement in clinical research as well as developing stronger links between postgraduate and honours students and the clinicians.

Some of our current projects include:

• Splinting research to improve treatment for finger fractures.
• Developing a Patient Rated Outcome Measure, for patients to help shape our service.
• Outcome measures of fatigue in adults with cancer receiving radiation therapy- a scoping review.
• Implementation of a patient-reported experience measure.
• Collaborating with stroke survivors to develop self-directed resources to support recovery and independence.
• Implementation of a Delirium Environment Checklist in acute and subacute settings.
• Trial of a music therapist for patient who experience dementia.
• Evaluation of the BeWell program, enhancing patients' activity and wellbeing on an aged care ward.
• Enhancing the environment of Western Health’s Dementia Management Unit to enable patients to engage in a range of activities, supporting enhanced wellbeing and outcomes.

​Professional development

We are committed to ongoing learning and supervision for all staff. This includes:

• a clear supervision process
• support for early career therapists and new graduates
• access to mentoring and education across all levels.

We also run and support staff committees to help improve the way we work. These include:

• quality and research
• profile and culture
• education and training
• standards and safety.

New graduates are encouraged to attend New Graduate Forums throughout the year, supported by the Allied Health Professional Development Committee.