Occupational therapy referrals

The occupational therapy department provide outpatient and community services to patients residing in the Fremantle Hospital catchment area. Services include:

• outpatient hand and upper limb therapy
• lymphoedema management
• neurological rehabilitation
• community domiciliary home visiting.

Aids and equipment are only provided to Community Aids and Equipment Program (CAEP) (external site) eligible clients. Our Head of Department is the CAEP Manager for the Fremantle region and can be contacted on the main department telephone number. For more information see the CAEP referral kit (external site). 

If a person is registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), then all of their equipment and rehabilitation needs are managed via NDIS.  Please check NDIS eligibility/registration (external site) prior to referring a person to CAEP.

Hand therapy clinic

Our hand therapy clinic assesses and treats hand and upper limb conditions with the aim of restoring function and maximising independence.

To receive this service, community patients must be CAEP eligible, that is:

• be the holder of a pension/disability card
• require treatment for a 'disability of a permanent or indefinite nature'
• and not currently be eligible under any other system (DVA, MVIT or workers’ compensation).

Read more about CAEP (external site).

Referrals for patients with acute or non-permanent conditions, such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome, will not be accepted under this system.

Oedema management

We also provide a service for the management of upper and lower limb oedema, including the prescription and measurement of custom-made garments.

To receive this service, patients must be CAEP eligible.

Please note that lower limb compression garments are contraindicated in the presence of arterial disease. In order to assess suitability for garments, patients with lower limb oedema require an Arterial Doppler Ultrasound to establish the Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI). This is to be carried out prior to attending the oedema clinic.

Domiciliary home visiting and carpentry service

Our service also provides occupational therapy assessments of clients in their own homes with regard to provision of domiciliary aids and equipment. 

Aids and equipment are only provided to CAEP eligible clients, or for use on a short term basis following hospital admission. 

General community and outpatient referrals

Community and outpatient referrals may be posted or faxed to the Fremantle Hospital Central Referral Department.

Postal address: Central Referral Service PO Box 3462, Midland WA 6056
Fax: 1300 365 056

Outpatient occupational therapy services are also provided at Fremantle Hospital (D4) and may be accessed by a referral to the Department of Community and Geriatric Medicine.