Our services

We provide the following services to clients of the Victorian Spinal Cord Service:

Spinal Community Integration Service (SCIS)

• Assistance for the first 12 months for people with a new spinal cord injury return to their home and community
• Support for you, your carers, family and health professionals to access specialist knowledge and assist with integration in the community

Spinal Outreach Service (SOS)

• Advice on managing pressure injuries
• Assessment and prescription of assistive technologies
• Suggesting and implementing a variety of ways to maintain your function
• Support with funding and changes in your care needs

VSCS Outpatients Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC)

• Information on the management of health issues related to spinal cord injury
• Advice regarding the most appropriate person for you to contact to manage an issue or query
• Provide your GP or other community health providers with general information related to spinal cord damage
• Make appointments with VSCS doctors on your behalf

Spinal Urology Clinic Nurse Consultant (CNC)

• Advice on urological management to clients and community health professionals
• Conduct assessment and give guidance on bladder management options
• Provide education to clients and community health providers
• Assess and evaluate prescription orders for continence aids

Spinal physiotherapy

• Assessment, management and advice on mobility
• Alterative mobility techniques as things change over time
• Work with you to improve pain, strength and flexibility
• Exercise (including gym programs)
• Work with you to prevent and resolve shoulder issues

Our clinics

We run the following clinics:

• Outpatient Surveillance Clinics
• Teleheath Surveillance Clinics
• VSCS Medical Speciality Issue Based Clinic
• Posture, Pressure and Seating Clinic
• Spinal Rehabilitation Clinic (for clients who have been discharged from the Royal Talbot Spinal Rehabilitation Unit in the past 12 months)
• Upper Limb Program Clinic

Related services

Access to these services will require direct referral to another team.

• Nerve & tendon transfer surgery

  We perform nerve & tendon transfer surgery to give people back arm and hand function.

• Leisure therapy

  We help people return to a balanced and enjoyable lifestyle in their community or home.

• Disability liaison

  We support people with disability to use hospital services and access the care and treatment they need.

Referrals

For patients

• In general, you will need to be a client of the Victorian Spinal Cord Service (VSCS) to access our community services and outpatient clinics.
• You need a referral from your GP or specialist to see a VSCS doctor.
• Clients of the VSCS can contact Spinal Community Services directly to request an appointment with the nursing and allied team for an issue of concern.

For health professionals

Find out more about referring your patient to the Victorian Spinal Cord Service. 

Contact us

Spinal Community Service

Contact the VSCS team

Locations

Level 1, Spinal Therapy Services Building
Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre
1 Yarra Boulevard
Kew, Victoria 

Level 3, Austin Tower
Austin Hospital
145 Studley Road
Heidelberg Victoria

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