Rehabilitation Services

More information:
call 905-853-2207
and select the most appropriate prompt.

In-patient and out-patient rehabilitation services are offered by a highly qualified team of specialized health care professionals. Programs and services offered are:

• Arthritis Program
• Chiropody
• Fracture Clinic
• Hand Program
• Hand Clinic
• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Shoulder School
• Speech/Language Pathology
• Thoracic Surgery School
• Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool
• Whipper Watson Recreation Pool
  

The Arthritis Program

The Arthritis Program (TAP) delivers effective assessment, treatment and education to individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with inflammatory joint diseases. Click on The Arthritis Program for complete program information.

Chiropody

This inpatient and outpatient program assesses patients for the treatment and prevention of diseases, disorders or dysfunction of the feet using therapeutic or symptom relief measures, including orthotics. The program is designed to provide education and treatment for diabetes, wound management, sports injuries and proper foot care. A physician's referral is required for inpatients but not outpatients. Outpatients are seen at York Rehab Associates located at 730 Davis Drive, Unit 1, in Newmarket. Telephone: 905-715-7201.

Fracture Clinic

The Fracture Clinic is supported by orthopaedic surgeons, orthopaedic technologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists who work together to assess and treat patients with post-operative conditions, fractures and soft tissue injuries. Services include x-rays, casting, splinting, exercise instruction and gait training. To visit the Fracture Clinic, patients require a referral from either the emergency room physician who assessed their injury or their orthopaedic surgeon.

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Hand Program

The primary goal of the Hand Program is to provide valuable and comprehensive education that will reduce the risk of hand injuries from occurring. However, when an injury does occur, intensive treatment and support are provided. The program's health care team consists of surgeons who specialize in hand surgery, occupational therapists and a physiotherapist. Three of the therapists have achieved the designation of Certified Hand Therapist.

Services offered by the Hand Program include:

• Consultation and Education
  Tailored to meet the diverse needs of industry, a hand therapist visits individual workplaces and provides services such as preventative splinting, ergonomic analysis and education. Staff who is responsible for the health and safety of the organizations' employees are taught how to recognize, manage and effectively prevent upper extremity problems.
  
  
• Hand Therapy
  The program's certified hand therapists provide assessment and intensive treatment to patients with acute hand injuries. Specialized services such as custom splinting and therapeutic exercise are used to enhance each patient's progressive treatment plan.
  
  
• Work Therapy
  Work therapy or "work hardening" offers intensive strengthening of the upper extremities prior to an individual returning to regular work duties. Each patient is evaluated and an individualized program is designed to effectively address his or her specific needs. Program components include large and small muscle strengthening and task related activities to improve dexterity and coordination.
  

Hand Clinic

The Hand Clinic's health care team consists of plastic surgeons and occupational therapists who provide timely assessment and appropriate treatment to individuals with hand injuries. A complete range of services, including x-rays, casting and custom splinting, are offered. To visit the Hand Clinic, patients require a referral from either the emergency room physician who assessed their injury or their plastic surgeon.

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Occupational Therapy

Southlake's occupational therapists assess the function and adaptive behaviour of patients and provide treatment and prevention measures for disorders which affect function in the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure. Custom splinting may be provided for patients with fractures and soft tissue injuries to enhance the rehabilitation process. Occupational therapists are an essential component of the health care team and provide care to children and adults on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. A physician's referral is required for all Occupational Therapy services.

Southlake's Occupational Therapy Department has been fully accredited with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. Clinical placements are provided for occupational therapy students affiliated with universities across Canada.

Physiotherapy

Southlake's physiotherapists are an essential component of the health care team and provide care to children and adults on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. They are qualified to assess the physical function of their patients and to provide education, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention strategies for physical injuries or pain. In addition, paediatric physiotherapists provide assessment, treatment, and education for infants and children with neurological conditions. A physician's referral is required for all physiotherapy services.

The Physiotherapy Department has been fully accredited by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and is currently working with the Association on a new module format for future accreditation. Clinical placements are provided for physiotherapy students affiliated with universities across Canada.

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Shoulder School

In preparation for shoulder surgery, patients are referred to Shoulder School by their orthopaedic surgeon. This outpatient service is conducted by physiotherapists and includes an overview of the anatomy and function of the shoulder and instructions for post-operative recovery to ensure the best possible outcomes. Following surgery, patients reconnect with their Shoulder School physiotherapist in order to receive post-operative rehabilitation.

Speech Language Pathology

Speech language pathologists are members of the health care team and provide adult in-patients with communication and swallowing assessment and treatment services.

The speech language pathologists in the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program assess speech and language function in children and provide treatment and prevention of speech language dysfunctions or disorders in order to develop, maintain or augment oral motor or communicative skills. Intensive individual group therapy and parent education classes are provided.

Outpatient programs can be accessed through a central registry. Parents, physicians and health care professionals can call 1-800-703-KIDS (5437) or (905) 830-9487 if residents of Newmarket or Georgina. Referrals can be faxed to (905) 762-2099.\

Thoracic Surgery School

In preparation for thoracic surgery (surgery to treat diseases of the chest and lungs), patients are referred to Thoracic Surgery School by their surgeon. A qualified team of nursing, physiotherapy and pharmacy representatives conducts this outpatient service. It includes an overview of the anatomy and function of the lungs, location of incisions, breathing and coughing exercises, pain control management, and the importance of early mobility. Following surgery, patients reconnect with their Thoracic Surgery School physiotherapist in order to receive post-operative rehabilitation.

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Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool

The Whipper Watson therapeutic pool is the only hospital-based therapeutic pool in York Region. Structured exercise classes and one-on-one sessions are conducted by the orthopaedic physiotherapists with hydrotherapy training five mornings a week for inpatients and outpatients with acute orthopaedic, arthritic and neurological conditions. Pool therapy is especially beneficial for patients who are too weak or have too much pain to exercise effectively out of the water.

Whipper Watson Recreational Pool

The recreational pool program provides the opportunity for continued pool exercises following discharge from an active physiotherapy program. The program is managed by a Recreational Pool Coordinator and volunteers who have been trained by the pool physiotherapists and is offered afternoons, evenings and Saturday mornings.

If you are interested in becoming a pool volunteer, please call
(905) 895-4521 extension 2389.

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For information on resources available to you during your hospital visit or stay (for example: parking, what to bring, discharge times and other helpful information) please click on Patients and Visitors.