Visitor pamphlets are available in front of the ward clerk's computer and in the ICU waiting room

Social Worker


ICU does not have a dedicated social worker.  However, Rebecca Gleeson can be contacted on 7121 for social work services.  

Social work services provide assistance to patients and their families with respect to the wide range of personal concerns and practical needs which may arise during treatment.  They assist patients and families with:
  • Understanding the hospital and the services provided by the hospital
  • Planning for discharge from hospital
  • Support in adjusting to illness / injury
  • Patients who have issues with anxiety, depression & require psychosocial support, education & counselling
  • Information about Centrelink, TAC, WorkCover payments and services
  • Patients with housing issues who potentially require emergency accommodation (short stay only)
  • Patients who need advice re: legal issues (wills, Enduring Power of Attorney, VCAT)
  • Patients in ‘at risk’ situations (e.g. Suspected child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse)
  • Information, support & advocacy for patients, carers/family.
  • Patients who are carers for someone at home or have issues with carer stress.
  • Information about & planning for Residential Care and respite care
  • Information about & referral to community services that are available at home such as personal care, in-home respite, and home care.
Some of these services won't need to be considered until the patient has left the intensive care unit but may still be a source of anxiety for their family.  Early introduction to social work services may still be useful.  ​

For patients who have died in the ICU, a paper-based (NOT electronic) referral to social work is required for bereavement counselling follow-up for the family/significant others.  This is usually done by the nurses but medical staff should ensure it is completed as it is an important part of our care.
Accommodation:
The Social Work department have created an ‘Accommodation Guide‘. This is to provide suggestions to patients’ families and carers on where they may like to stay whilst their loved one is here in hospital, or in the event the patient is transferred, accommodation around the Melbourne hospitals.  

A copy of this guide has been placed in the ICU family room.

Pastoral Care

Some patients and family members derive comfort from Pastoral Care or Spiritual Care workers during their stay in ICU when dealing with great stress and angst.  They are available to discuss personal, pastoral or spiritual needs. ICU does not have a unit-dedicated Pastoral Care worker, however a Chaplain can be contacted on 5454 7688 (Karen Lunney, Manager Pastoral Care Services; Jean Goode, Chaplain).

Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer (AHLO)

Consider contacting the Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer for indigenous patients and their families to assist with conveying information and providing support.  AHLO can help navigate the complex cultural relationships within indigenous communities when decisions need to be made about a patient's condition.  This is particularly helpful in situations when bad news needs to be communicated.  See 'AHLO' on the intranet for contact details.