Celebrating a year of rehabilitation success

8 Feb 2022

The St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital third floor rehabilitation inpatient unit commenced operations on 8 February 2021 with their first patient and have since cared for 259 patients.  

The 18-bed unit boasts newly renovated rooms and cares for a variety of patients who need support to recover from injury of illness and build mobility and strength.  

Rebecca English was appointed Nurse Unit Manager of the unit in April 2021 and said that the ward have become a great team over the past year.  

“I am really proud of the relatively new team who have banded together to deliver great outcomes for our patients, this includes our nurses, doctors and a variety of allied health professions such as physiotherapy, social work, dietitians, speech therapists and occupational therapists,” said Rebecca.

The rehabilitation unit cares for a unique cohort of patients who require compassionate therapy and support and to achieve long-term results.

“Many of our patients have had long term issues or injuries and usually come to us for conditioning or after an orthopaedic fracture,” said Rebecca.

“Some of our patients have already been in hospital for a while before they come to us where they then stay an average of 23.5 days and a few staying as long as 100 days.

“They are also generally older in age with an average age of 77 years and while this can present some challenges, it is all the more a rewarding when they are well enough to return to their homes.

“It is incredibly satisfying to make a long-term difference to these people’s lives and we thank everyone who has trusted us throughout the past year.”

St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital is the second largest provider of rehabilitation services in Western Australia after the State Government. The third floor rehabilitation unit takes referrals from St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital.