Falls and Mobility Clinic

In This Section

The Falls and Mobility Clinic provides a Geriatrician only assessment to clients that are falling where the cause of the falls is unknown.

Services Offered

Specialist medical assessment by a Geriatrician.
Information on appropriate falls prevention plan and recommendations for patient and GP.
If indicated and appropriate, referral to Allied Health for assessment and therapy through Community Based Rehabilitation or appropriate local service.

Eligibility

Clients aged over 65 who have an unclear cause of falls and require a geriatrician assessment
(Note: adults who report 1 fall or less in 6 months or have a known cause of falls may be redirected to Community Rehabilitation on consultation with the client)
Clients who reside in the Cities of Brimbank, Hobson's Bay, Maribyrnong, Wyndham and the Shire of Melton

Ineligible

Clients from care facilities with high care needs and/or severe cognitive impairments
Referrals requesting allied health intervention only – these clients should be referred directly to Community Based Rehabilitation or other Community provider.
Clients who are already receiving specialist input for a condition relating to their falls e.g. Neurologist for Parkinson’s Disease.
Clients with a suspected or diagnosed neurological condition and where that condition is likely to be the primary factor causing the falls and balance problems (e.g. multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease). In this instance another service such as the Movement Disorders clinic would be more appropriate
Clients where that falls have been solely associated with a history of syncope, seizure or collapse and may need to be referred for other specialist medical assessment (e.g. cardiologist, neurologist)

How does the clinic operate?

Medical assessments are by appointment at Sunshine Hospital.
There is no fee involved and interpreters are always used if needed.
Transport must be arranged by the client

Location

The Falls and Mobility Clinic is located at Sunshine Hospital, 176 Furlong Road St Albans

Making a referal

Referrals are accepted from general practitioners, specialists and hospital medical officers.

We will accept any format of a comprehensive referral OR Falls & Mobility Clinic Referral Form

Please include:

Relevant specialist correspondence eg neurology, cardiology (if any)
Recent hospital discharge summaries (if any)
Current Medication list
Relevant imaging reports eg CT brain, vertebral spine (if any)
Recent pathology eg UEC, TSH, vitamin D levels (if any)

Please note if the referral is missing essential information we will advise you of this and provide a window of 4 weeks in order for the referrer to action. If this information is not received within this time frame the referral will not proceed.

Referrals can be emailed to Falls&[email protected]

What to bring to the appointment

Clients should bring a copy of:

An up to date list of their medications including doses
Any correspondence from a medical specialist
A completed Falls Diary which will be mailed to you when your appointment is booked or you can download the Falls Diary