Victoria’s first concussion clinic opens
Victoria’s first public-funded adult concussion clinic is now open, providing much-needed support for hundreds of people experiencing ongoing concussion symptoms each year.
Based at Caulfield Hospital, the Alfred Health Concussion Clinic will assist people up to six months post-injury, providing access to experts in neurology, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and clinical psychology.
The clinic was developed in response to staff seeing patients severely impacted by concussion in The Alfred and Sandringham Hospital emergency departments, but not having any follow-up care to refer them on to.
Speech Pathology Manager Kate Lawlor, who established the business case for the clinic, said Alfred Health sees up to 680 concussion patients each year – more than 10 per week. Without intervention, these patients can go on to suffer repercussions for life.
“We are really excited to launch this clinic, having seen so many people come through emergency but not having anywhere to send them post-discharge,” Kate said.
“We know that early intervention is key for concussion sufferers to prevent their symptoms from becoming chronic.”
Ongoing symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, trouble sleeping, brain fog and specific neurological complaints like loss of speech or sense of smell. Impacts of concussion are becoming more widely recognised, with some people unable to continue work, school or study, and suffering significant lifestyle changes and relationship breakdowns.
The clinic will see anyone aged over 16 in the community suffering ongoing effects from concussion. This includes people who have been involved in falls, accidents, assaults, family violence and community sport.
“One of the most important things we need to inform people about is managing repeated risk of concussion, because that can really do damage,” clinic lead and occupational therapist Emma Maguire said.
“The key to this service is bridging a gap for our public patients that cannot access services otherwise.”
Professor Terence O’Brien, Program Director Alfred Brain, said there was rising community and medical concern about the short and long-term neurological effects of concussion.
“Having a dedicated, multidisciplinary public health clinic will allow Victorians who have suffered a concussion to benefit from expert assessment and management advice,” he said.
Patients across the state will be able to access this service, either in person or via telehealth, via referral from their health care provider. Visit the Concussion Clinic web page for more information.
The Alfred Health Concussion clinic will also partner with The Department of Neuroscience at Monash University, to enable further research and provide best-practise treatment and diagnostic outcomes.
