Assisted transport for appointments - struggling

Hello Bea,

Thank you for your question.

I’m so sorry to hear that you’re struggling with managing your relative’s appointments. It sounds like you have already been linked into all the appropriate services for transport. It is great you’ve requested ideas from the carer service provider as well.

As you have mentioned, an assessment with an occupational therapist may be useful to assess safety, identifying the right level of assistance and any equipment to better meet your relative’s needs. The carer service provider may also require and arrange a re-assessment if they felt your relative or their staff were at risk.  

You can access an occupational therapist or physiotherapist through the chronic disease management plan which provides five Medicare rebated sessions with an allied health professional. The plan can be approved through your GP.

If the GP doesn’t have an occupational therapist or physio they can refer your relative to, you can find one through Occupational Therapy Australia.

You’re likely already doing this but preparing ahead of appointments to increase ease and safety and selecting providers for ease of access (where possible) are things to consider. If accessing appointments becomes more challenging or unsafe then finding out if the GP does home visits and arranging non-emergency patient transport for hospital appointments may be required. Non-emergency patient transport often use in house clinic cars and stretcher services where mobility is limited. Mentioning your relative’s care needs with the receptionist or outpatient coordinator is also worthwhile so you are both clear about what they can manage and provide at the appointment.

If you’d like to chat with one of our health professionals please call StrokeLine on 1800 787 653 or email us on strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au

Best wishes,

Meredith and Simone (StrokeLine)