The ICU social worker is an active member of the multi-disciplinary team, with the primary focus of supporting both practical and emotional needs of patients and their families during their critical illness experience.
The social worker can offer short-term counselling in areas such as: adjustment to illness, trauma, injury and disability; managing feeling of anxiety and depression; changes in lifestyle; family and relationship concerns/conflicts; end of life issues and grief and loss.
The social worker can also provide information, referral and assist in accessing local community resources including: accommodation; supports around financial issues (Centrelink, VPTAS – Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme); legal issues (powers of attorney, VCAT – Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal); counselling services; specialist services for patients with complex care needs (NDIS – National Disability Insurance Scheme, ACAS – Aged Care Assessment Services) and bereavement counselling.
What do we do?
Social workers work closely with other staff to plan and arrange supports that may be required during or after your time in hospital, period of treatment and/or rehabilitation.
In some instances, the social worker may arrange information and planning/family meetings to provide information about treatment and service planning.
Social workers are trained to undertake comprehensive assessments. This helps other staff understand your individual support needs and concerns. These assessments identify any personal, family or home-related issues or concerns that can impact upon your treatment or ability to return home. Social workers also seek to identify patients who are ‘at risk’ of not being able to return to their previous level of independence and usual lifestyle. This ensures the arrangement of any necessary supports or alternative care arrangements.
Social workers provide counselling and support for patients and family/ carers in relation to issues associated to illness, accidents, disability and hospital care. Where necessary and appropriate, referrals for ongoing counselling are made to community agencies.
Social workers can co-ordinate and facilitate meetings that provide an opportunity for patient/family/carer participation in the treatment and care planning process. These meetings also provide an opportunity for questions about your diagnosis, treatment and/or rehabilitation plan. The aim is to ensure the quality of care and better patient outcomes, a smooth transition to home and the community.
Social workers provide up-to-date information and support about a wide variety of topics and services including housing/accommodation, legal and income support/financial services. Where necessary, referrals are made to specialist community services to facilitate access to required services and entitlements.
Rural and interstate patients/carers are assisted to access available temporary accommodation and transport entitlements.
Whenever possible, social workers assist and support the patient to return home after their treatment in hospital. However, in those instances when discharge home is not possible due to the level of ongoing support required by the patient, supported accommodation may be required. Social workers assist patients and their families with decision-making regards this.
Social workers have an active role in conjunction with the other staff to provide information and education to patients, their family/carers and community service providers regarding the effects of illness, treatments, hospitalisation and services. Education occurs on both a one-to-one basis and via group services.
Barwon Health’s social work team is committed to ongoing research and quality standards of practice. Staff monitor their practice as part of a continuing quality improvement program to ensure best patient care. Staff participate in Barwon Health quality committees aimed at improving patient care and outcomes.
Social workers participate in and present papers, posters, seminars and innovative programs at international, national and state conferences.
Page last updated: July 18, 2024