FOR PATIENTS AND VISITORS
What is this service?
Social Workers are an integral part of the health team at Northern Health, providing support to patients, their families and carers (including significant others). Social Work is focussed on patient centred care and provides support within the health setting that meets the multi-layered needs of patients and their families / carers. The role of Social Work is to enhance social and emotional functioning through targeted evidenced based interventions and the input of services and supports.
Social Workers complete psychosocial assessments to understand and address patient’s needs. This assessment includes understanding and addressing any risks to patients due to their current situation, functioning and capacity, and determining and advocating for their support needs. Social Work services are provided for inpatient admissions as well as to patient who are receiving treatment via the Emergency Department, some outpatient clinics and NH Community program such as CTS and HARP.
Who is the service for?
Current Northern Health patients of any age who are experiencing health related difficulties at home or whose psychosocial circumstances are impacting their health.
How to refer?
Patients can request a referral to Social Work by a member of their treating team
Cost:
Social Work services are free for patients with a Medicare card.
Please see this page for more information regarding costs for non–Medicare patients, including Medicare-ineligible patients.
Contact us
If you would like any further information about services offered by the Social Work department, please contact: AlliedHealthenquiries@nh.org.au
FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Service Overview
Social Workers are an integral part of the health team at Northern Health, providing support to patients, their families and carers (including significant others). Social Work is focussed on patient centred care and provides support within the health setting that meets the multi-layered needs of patients and their families / carers. The role of Social Work is to enhance social and emotional functioning through targeted evidenced based interventions and the input of services and supports.
Social Workers complete psychosocial assessments to understand and address patient’s needs. This assessment includes understanding and addressing any risks to patients due to their current situation, functioning and capacity, and determining and advocating for their support needs. Social Workers assist in ensuring safe and sustainable discharges from hospital programs. Social Work services are provided for inpatient admissions as well as to patient who are receiving treatment via Emergency Department, some outpatient clinics and NH Community program such as CTS and HARP.
Information on this page is about Social Work services available in the physical health domain of Northern Health. For information about Mental Health Social Work please go to the Mental Health Services page on this website.
Inclusion criteria:
Existing Northern Health patients
Referral received internally from the treating team or community support service.
Exclusion criteria:
Non – Northern Health patients.
How to Refer:
Northern Health treating team can refer patients via EMR for inpatients and CPF eReferrals Manager for outpatients.
External service providers can refer to Social Work, with the patients consent, by contacting the Social Work Department on ph. 8405 8653
Director/Head of Unit:
Penelope Vye
Associate Director, Allied Health – Social Work and Spiritual Care
Enquiries:
If you would like any further information about the Social Work Department, please contact: AlliedHealthenquiries@nh.org.au
- Locations offering this service
- Northern Hospital Epping
- Broadmeadows Hospital
- Bundoora Centre
- Craigieburn Community Hospital
- Kilmore District Hospital
