Clinical Services

The focus of Occupational Therapy is to:

• provide assessment of the child's current occupational performance in the areas of self care, play and productivity
• determine the needs of the child and family in managing these occupations at home or school on discharge
• provide management strategies, education, equipment and simple environmental modifications to home/school environment
• ensure that appropriate referrals are made for local Occupational Therapy and other services

OT Streams

OT's at RCH provide services under two main streams, Neurosciences and Musculoskeletal. These streams provide services to the following patient groups: 

Neurosciences

Neurological

Infants, children and adolescents who have been admitted to hospital with brain and spine related conditions. This includes neurological, neurosurgical or neuro-oncology conditions. Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention centres on difficulties in movement, sensation and perception (recognising and interpreting information) and how these impact daily life in terms of hand function, play, self care activities, and participating in life at home, school or kinder. 

Developmental

Babies, young children and their families who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with, a condition that may affect the development of their fine motor, self care or play/perceptual skills.

Medical

Infants, children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with a temporary or permanent illness which affects their ability to participate in daily activities. This includes patients affected by cardiac, respiratory and gastroenterological conditions. 

Musculoskeletal

Hand Therapy

Infant, children and adolescents who have an acquired or congenital hand condition.  Specific hand therapy techniques are used to reduce and prevent contractures, optimise movement and minimise scars.  With the involvement of the child's family, the aim is to maximise the child's hand function for participation in the important occupations of childhood.

Orthopaedics

Infant, children and adolescents who have an acquired or congenital orthopaedic condition. OT services are aimed at providing assessment and support to optimise safety for discharge home from hospital following orthopaedic treatment. 

For enquiries, please contact the OT Manager, telephone:  03 9345 9300.

The following programs at RCH also have Occupational Therapists on their teams:

Chronic Pain Management

Rehabilitation Service (VPRS)

The Victorian Paediatric Pallative Care Program

RCH@Home

Uncle Bobs Child Development Centre (Early Intervention)