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. This can vary from person to person depending on individual need.
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. A referral is required to access TRP services. The TRP referral form and additional information can be found on the “Refer to QSCIS” page.
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 home exercise, gym and hydrotherapy programs, splints, and ongoing rehabilitation needs.
Equipment and ongoing supplies
Ensure prescribed equipment is set up correctly, identify any outstanding equipment needs, and establish processes for repairs and maintenance and to order consumable items such as continence aids.
Community links
Establish links with local health professionals and organisations as needed who can assist with meeting any ongoing needs. This might include allied health, psychology, counselling, recreational and nursing services.
Home supports
Provide practical training and resources to personal support workers and families 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 people?
The TRP team can work in a number of different ways, depending on personal preferences and priorities. Before leaving hospital, members of the TRP team will make a time to come and meet, introduce the team, and make some preliminary plans. During this meeting, we will ask about personal preferences for communication, how the person 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
For people who live within in the greater Brisbane area we can visit at home or other locations such as the gym, local shops, or hydrotherapy pool to work on specific rehabilitation goals or provide hands-on education or training. This includes Brisbane, most of the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, west to Ipswich and surrounding areas, with other locations considered on a case-by-case basis. If the person lives outside the greater Brisbane area and wants to continue their rehabilitation with us in Brisbane, TRP can offer accommodation, free of charge, for the duration of their TRP program (subject to availability). TRP has access to two fully self-contained apartments approximately 15 minutes’ drive from the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Telehealth
For people who live outside the greater Brisbane area, or who don’t want us to visit them at home, we can connect via video calls, telephone, or email. We can check in on a regular basis, connect with support workers or local service providers/therapists if requested, and can be contacted directly during business hours if any problems or questions during the TRP program.
Contact Transitional Rehabilitation Program (TRP)
3176 9508
trp@health.qld.gov.au
Level 4, 198 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba QLD 4102
PO Box 6053 Buranda, QLD, 4102 Australia