Brain Injury Rehab Clinic - Royal North Shore Hospital

We provide treatment for:
•    Impairments and limitations arising from moderate to severe brain trauma

•    Your referral letter from your GP/Specialist
•    Relevant images/scans/blood test results (including CT or MRI scan of affected area)
•    Relevant test results (including hearing tests, allergy tests, microbiology)
•    List of current medications and drug allergies
 

Your GP or non-GP specialist is always your first step in seeking treatment for any condition. You will be referred to our service if your treating doctor feels that your treatment requires the input of brain injury rehabilitation specialists. Once we receive the referral it will be reviewed by a doctor and you will be notified of the outcome and next steps. Please allow at least 4 weeks for this process to be undertaken. We see patients either face to face or via telehealth – our team will let you know what the best option is for you.
 
Please note that phone calls from the hospital will appear as a blocked number.
 
If you have a scheduled appointment you will receive a reminder text message.
 
Please allow a full morning or afternoon for your appointment. Some patients require a longer review and delays can occur.

Indications for referral for clinic appointment

• Severe taumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Post-acute inpatient admission
  • Less than 2 years previous, achievable rehabilitation goals
• Moderate traumatic brain injury: Less than 2 years previously, achievable rehabilitation goals
• Paedritic traumatic brain injury, transferring to adult services: Dependent on severity, recency of injury and achievable rehabilitation goals
• Non-traumatic brain injury: Consultation Service, on a case-by-case basis, dependent on severity, recency of injury and achievable rehabilitation goals 

Indications for urgent referral to local Emergency Department

• Seizure
• Acute behavioural emergency
• Acute psychiatric emergency

Exclusion criteria

• Mild traumatic brain injury
• Concussion

Out of NSLHD

Area-related referral criteria apply, including North and Eastern parts of Sydney and South Eastern Sydney LHDs, Central Coast LHD and Northen NSW regional Areas

• Reason must be stated explicitly 
• Resident of other LHD that does not provide the clinical service
• Continuing care of existing condition already managed by NSLHD
• Demonstrated complexity requiring services of NSLHD
• Compassionate circumstances, e.g. family, proximity, staff

The following information must be included for referral to be accepted:

• Date of Injury
• Severity of injury details (eg presentation, clinical and imaging findings, progress)
• Impairments and potential rehabilitation issues

Providing more information will aid the triage process and make it more likely that your patient will be seen in the most timely manner possible.

Please submit referrals using the eReferral system through HealthLink, which can be accessed through most clinical software systems.

Alternatively, address letters to Dr Clayton King or other specialist listed below:
Email: [email protected] 

Referrals will be triaged and your patient will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible. This process may take between 1-4 weeks. You will be contacted if more information is needed.

Telehealth services are available, please indicate on the referral if you feel this would be suitable for your patient’s appointment.

Your Team

Dr Clayton King - Rehabilitation Physician

Dr Stuart Browne - Rehabilitation Physician