Department of Health

Community health physiotherapy priority tool for adults

Key messages

  • The physiotherapy priority tool - adult determines an adult’s need for physiotherapy and then their priority level.
  • The tool identifies two categories: high priority and medium/low priority.

The community health priority tools are part of the department’s program to improve access to community health services.

The physiotherapy priority tool - adult prioritises adults who need physiotherapy services. It does not apply to children. CHSs with paediatric physiotherapy services should develop their own systems to prioritise and manage children who need physiotherapy services.

Intake workers without a background in physiotherapy

Intake workers without a background in physiotherapy should consult the physiotherapist if they cannot determine the level of priority of service.

Services covered by the tool

Physiotherapy therapy services help people experiencing difficulties moving around.

When CHSs should use this tool

CHSs should use the physiotherapy priority tool - adult after they have applied the generic priority tool.

Priority categories for this tool

The physiotherapy priority tool - adult has two priority categories: high and medium/low. The high priority category includes people who have recently had broken bones or surgery related to muscle or joint problems, people with chest infections requiring physiotherapy, people who have fallen or are at risk of falling, or people who experience problems performing daily activities.

How the tool works

The physiotherapy priority tool - adult collects information about the person, either from the person directly or from referral documentation. The Community health priority tools document clearly explains the two priority categories.

Downloads

Community health priority tools 2009
pdf 325.65 KB

Reviewed 29 May 2015

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