About allied health
Allied health refers to a wide range of health services, provided by professionals other than doctors and nurses, that help people build their health and wellbeing.
Find out more about the services provided by allied health professionals in NSW.
Allied health professionals play an important role in the holistic care we provide across various services and facilities in Nepean Blue Mountains LHD.
They provide services for children, youth, adults, families and older people, spanning acute hospital care, rehabilitation, cancer care, mental health, drug and alcohol, and community care.
Our services
You may be connected with allied health services during diagnosis, treatment or recovery from an illness or injury.
Our allied health workers offer assessment, diagnosis of some conditions, therapy, rehabilitation, equipment for short term hire, information and advice, and more.
They work closely with nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and provide services to patients in hospital, as well as through outpatient clinics and in community settings.
Child life therapy
When a child is in hospital for more than a very short stay, they may be offered the services of a child life therapist. These are healthcare professionals specialising in child development who work in a variety of ways to reduce the stress and anxiety for children in hospital.
Find out more on the Association of Child Life Therapists Australia website.
Diversional therapy
Diversional therapists work with people of all ages and abilities to design and facilitate activities to support, challenge and enhance their psychological, social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Exercise physiology
Exercise physiologists specialise in exercise programs, behavioural modification programs and long term healthy lifestyle education.
Programs are designed to help prevent and manage chronic diseases and injuries.
At Nepean Blue Mountains LHD this service provides rehabilitation therapy and preventative programs for people with heart (cardiac) conditions, diabetes and mental health conditions.
Genetic counselling
Nepean Hospital provides a diagnostic and genetic counselling service. We are not a management service for genetic conditions and we do not offer paternity or ancestry testing.
Based on your personal and family health history, your doctor or your child's paediatrician might refer you for genetic counselling.
Genetic counselling involves investigating individuals and families who are affected by, or at risk of genetic disorders.
We commonly see people who are or are planning to get pregnant and have a genetic concern, as well as children with developmental delay or certain conditions identified at birth.
A referral is needed to access this service. See the Nepean Hospital Genetics referral criteria.
Contact Clinical Genetics on (02) 4734 3362.
Cancer genetic testing
Patients requiring genetic counselling for familial cancer should be referred to:
Familial Cancer Service, The Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead
Phone: (02) 8890 6947
Fax: (02) 8890 9217
Medical radiation sciences
See Medical imaging in Nepean Blue Mountains for more information about diagnostic radiography and nuclear medicine.
See Cancer care in Nepean Blue Mountains for more information about radiation therapy.
Nutrition and dietetics
Dietitians are health professionals trained in food and nutrition. They can offer support and motivation to achieve your health goals, whatever they are, as well as practical advice.
They can suggest recipes and menus to help you make good decisions about what to eat.
They can help anyone, including people of all ages, including those with weight issues, allergies, heart conditions, diabetes or pregnancy.
You do not need a referral to see a dietitian, but it is recommended to have a referral from your GP or other health professional if you have a medical condition.
We employ dietitians at all of our hospitals to help improve the health and quality of life of patients. They work closely with others including nurses, social workers and pharmacists.
This service is particularly important in:
- Nepean Cancer Care Centre
- Nepean Mental Health Unit
- Western Renal Service
- Obesity service
- Nepean Diabetes Service
- Child and Adolescent Unit (CADU), Blue Mountains Hospital
It is also available through our community health centres in Lawson and Lemongrove.
The role of dietitians can include:
- nutrition assessments and screening
- specialised diets and nutrition care plans for a range of medical conditions
- individual patient, carer and group ‘health coaching’ education sessions
- nutrition support through diets and supplements, enteral feeds (tube feeding) and parenteral feeding (intravenous drip).
Occupational therapy (OT)
Occupational therapists work with people who are having trouble doing everyday activities. This might be because of age, illness or injury, surgery or other reasons. They are committed to helping people regain independence, for example after a stroke or brain injury.
They will assess and design exercises to help each person improve their strength, coordination and movement.
They work closely with others including nurses, social workers, dietitians and pharmacists.
You need a referral from a doctor or other health professional to access this service.
Orthoptics
Orthoptists work with eye doctors to aid in the diagnosis and management of eye diseases and visual problems.
Orthoptists work with other eye doctors to assess, diagnose and manage eye diseases and problems with visiion in people of all ages. They are involved in the care of patients with eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Patients need a referral from a GP or other healthcare professional.
Pharmacy
Nepean Blue Mountains LHD has hospital-based pharmacy services that support patients and staff with medication-related issues.
They supply medications for patients in hospital, and are involved in reviewing and managing the medications as needed for anyone being cared for by any of our teams.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists assess and treat people of all ages who need help to improve their physical movement and function. This might be because of age, illness or injury, surgery or other reasons.
We help people with a range of needs, including chronic disease management, breathing issues, cardiac rehab and arthritis.
Physiotherapy (physio) often involves exercises, manual therapy, education and hydrotherapy.
You need a referral from a doctor or other health professional to access this service.
One-on-one physiotherapy classes are provided to patients at Springwood Hospital with a special seated exercise program tailored for geriatric and rehabilitation patients.
We work closely with the occupational therapy team, including for home assessments for patients soon to be discharged from hospital.
Podiatry
Podiatrists are health professionals who assess, treat and advise on the management of conditions related to the foot.
In Nepean Blue Mountains, podiatry services are available in a range of settings including hospitals, community health centres and residential aged care settings.
Psychology
Social work and counselling
Social workers provide counselling and support, information and referrals to community counselling, housing, financial, legal and other service providers.
Social workers are available to support patients in both inpatient and community settings across Nepean Blue Mountains - including our mental health, and drug and alcohol services.
Speech pathology
Speech pathologists assess and treat people of all ages who have difficulty with:
swallowing food and drink
speaking clearly or fluently (e.g. stuttering)
language skills, (understanding others and expressing themselves, which may also include reading and writing difficulties).
This may be due to illness or injury, or other reasons. Treatment often includes exercises and other strategies.
Our speech pathologists are based at Nepean Hospital.
You do not need a referral to arrange an appointment with this service.