Bunbury rehab continues despite restrictions

Rehabilitation for those who have suffered a stroke is a crucial part of recovery, but COVID-19 restrictions meant new methods of delivering these services were needed. The Bunbury Hospital outpatient stroke team has recently made a shift from hands-on practice to offering telerehab, delivering rehabilitation programs via video calls. Bunbury resident David McNair suffered a stroke last year and has been undertaking rehabilitation with the stroke team for eight months, and he can now take his appointments at home. “It’s as good as I thought it would be, if not better,” Mr McNair said. The introduction of telerehab for stroke patients in the South West has the potential to improve hundreds of lives, with an estimated 700 people in rural WA suffering a stroke each year. South West stroke coordinator Michaela Eaton said the telerehab sessions had proved popular with patients and health workers. “Once patients are on video call, they see it’s just another option available to us. “It’s also easier for our practitioners to be shown areas of a patient’s home and make immediate recommendations for ensuring safe practice of exercises.” Occupational therapist Kit Lucas said it was “extremely rewarding” to be able to help patients as they recovered. A range of therapies are now provided by video consultations.