Transitional Rehabilitation Program (TRP)

What is TRP?

TRP is a rehabilitation service that helps people with spinal cord injury (SCI), who have recently been discharged from the Spinal Injuries Unit (SIU), in the transition from hospital rehabilitation to community living. The TRP team includes specialist nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers and a doctor, who are experienced in working with people who have had SCI. The TRP team will work with people for 4 to 6 weeks following their discharge from the SIU.

Who can use the TRP service?

TRP is available to people with newly acquired SCI who are discharging to the community following rehabilitation in the SIU, Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH). TRP may also be offered to people who have completed their rehabilitation in other hospitals, depending on service capacity.

What can we help you with?

Health and wellbeing
Problem solve issues with the health and wellbeing of the person, such as bladder, bowel, skin care, pain, respiratory health, and muscle spasm. We will work with you to develop plans so you can manage these issues yourself in the future. We can also help you link with a new GP if you don’t already have one.

Physical and daily living skills
Practice, problem solve and improve skills for more independence in daily life, such as mobility, self-care, household tasks and shopping.

Getting out and about in the community
Review access to local public transport, returning to driving, or using mobility aids in and around the local area.

Exercise and ongoing rehabilitation
Review the person’s home/gym exercise program, hydrotherapy program, splints, and ongoing rehabilitation needs.

Equipment and ongoing supplies
Ensure the person’s own equipment is set up correctly, identify any outstanding equipment needs, and make sure the person knows how to order their continence equipment.

Community links
Ensure the person is linked in with their local health professionals and organisations as needed who can assist with meeting any of their ongoing needs. This might include allied health, psychology, counselling, and nursing services.

Home supports
Provide practical training and resources to personal support workers and family regarding specific health and support needs.

Psychological and emotional needs
We can talk through any concerns the person may be experiencing when they first go home and offer support and counselling.

Ongoing support needs
We can help navigate ongoing support needs arrangements, such as understanding the NDIS, NIISQ or My Aged Care services.

Return to work
Assist with issues relating to returning to work and linking with Back2Work services.

Leisure
Explore the ability to get back into leisure interests.

How we work with the person?

The TRP team can work with the person in several different ways, depending on the person’s preference and priorities. Before the person leaves the SIU, members of the TRP team will make a time to come and meet with them. During this meeting, the person will be asked about how they would like us to work with them, and whether they have any specific rehabilitation goals that we may be able to assist with during their TRP program.

Some examples of how we can work with people include:

Face to face visits
We can visit at home or other locations such as the gym, local shops, or hydrotherapy pool to work on specific rehabilitation goals the person may have or provide hands-on education or training. If the person lives outside the greater Brisbane area, and wants to continue their rehabilitation with us here in Brisbane, TRP can offer accommodation, free of charge, for the duration of their TRP program (subject to availability).

Telehealth
If the person lives outside the greater Brisbane area, or doesn’t want us to visit them at home, we can connect via video calls, telephone, or email. We can check in with the person at home on a regular basis, and they can contact us directly if they have any problems or questions during their TRP program.

Contact Transitional Rehabilitation Program (TRP)