What we do
Local Social Workers play a critical role in intervention, support and care. Our Social Work department works across multiple programs and sites to assist patients, their families and carers with a range of issues.
What we offer
Our Social Workers undertake the following activities:
- Comprehensive psychosocial assessments
- Intervention and rigorous discharge plans, in consultation with the patient, their family, carers and significant others
- Risk assessments
- Counselling and advocacy support
- Provision of specialist clinical expertise, in assessing the psychosocial needs of individuals in a number of health settings
Adjusting to health issues can be a stressful time for patients and families. We provide support, education and counselling for patients, families and carers.
Social Workers provide help and assistance for a range of issues, including but not limited to:
- Adjustment to illness or disability
- Reactions to loss and grief
- Bereavement support
- Maintaining relationships with family
- Trauma
- Managing feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness
- Carer stress
- Family violence
- Elder abuse
Home visits can be conducted when required.
Who we care for
Inpatient Services
Our inpatient Social Work team assists the person and their supports to ensure there is a smooth transition from hospital to their community.
You can request to speak with a Social Worker during your admission, or the multi-disciplinary team may also refer you to a Social Worker if additional support for discharge is identified.
Community
Social Workers can also support people in the community with linking to ongoing services and supports, such as aged care and NDIS.
Social Workers are available at Wonthaggi Hospital and Phillip Island Community Hospital by appointment. In some circumstances, we are also able to complete a home visit.
This service can be accessed by inpatients and patients who have been referred internally. Self-referral, community, service provider referrals accepted. We are not able to provide an emergency or crisis response. All referrals are managed through our Access team.