Social Work

Social workers are dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and the community. We assist people by helping them cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with their relationships, and work with their personal and family problems.

Our social workers are experienced, qualified professionals who work across all areas of the hospital to provide patient-centred, solution-focused crisis intervention. These areas include:

• Emergency department
• Women’s and children’s services
• Townsville Cancer Centre
• Palliative care
• Medical wards
• Surgical wards, Cardiac and Coronary Care Units
• Rehabilitation Unit
• Sub-Acute Care Unit
• Intensive care units (adults and paediatric)

Services
Counselling and emotional support

• Trauma and crisis
• Grief and loss
• Miscarriage and neonatal death
• Domestic violence, bad news diagnosis, sexual assault
• Adjustment counselling e.g. for chronic disease, medical diagnosis
• Family mediation and conferencing
• Child safety and advocacy
• Mortuary viewings

Complex discharge planning

• Domestic violence
• Capacity concerns
• Public Guardian and Public Trustee
• Residential aged care
• Complex social issues
• Carer support

Information and assistance with:

• Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA)
• Advance health directives
• Residential aged care planning
• Referrals/advocacy to community services
• Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT)
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Welfare Services

• PTSS (Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme) for non-Townsville residents
• Practical issues related to finances, transport and emergency access to food and clothing
• Accommodation - supporting patient’s carers/families to find accommodation in Townsville
• Referrals to community welfare agencies and support groups

Referral
If you wish to speak to a social worker please phone 4433 2170 or ask your healthcare team for a referral.

Useful Resources

Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS)
Coming to hospital
Child Youth and Family Health Services
Community Health Services
Social Work and Welfare Services brochure
Termination of Pregnancy Act 2018
Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme
List of external agencies