“Doctors and nurses help to save lives, but allied health professionals save quality of life.”

Those words from Cabrini Grade 3 Speech Pathologist Hannah Carter perfectly capture why Cabrini’s 250 allied health staff should be recognised not only on Allied Health Professions Day, but every day of the year.

Over the past 12 months, our Allied Health team:

• Responded to 29,003 referrals, and delivered 115,476 patient contacts for inpatients across Brighton and Malvern
• Delivered 27,350 patient outpatient appointments
• Completed 9,875 home visits under Rehabilitation in the Home
• Delivered 15,579 contacts in our women’s inpatient mental health service, and 3,116 sessions in our mental health day program.

The roles of our allied health team, which includes dietitians, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, exercise physiologists, psychologists, art therapists, music therapists, pharmacy and medical imaging staff, are diverse, reaching patients across all stages of their care.

“This year’s Allied Health Professions Day theme is very fitting,” Cabrini Director of Allied Health Katie Dixon said.

“We really are For everyone, everywhere. Our teams support patients to recover, maintain independence, improve function and quality of life, and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them. Their work touches almost every patient journey.”

While their contributions are often delivered quietly and behind the scenes, their impact is profound, and the team’s focus is always on what matters to the patient.

“It’s rewarding to help patients achieve the things that matter most to them, even if it’s something as simple as finding a way to include the foods they love or enjoy a meal with their family,” Grade 2 Dietitian Sim Koh said.

Allied health care also offers a sense of control for people undergoing treatment, Senior Dietitian and Wellness Coordinator, Dietetic Services/Exercise and Wellness Centre (EWC), Bree Todorovic said.

“Patients can’t control which treatment they go on or how they will tolerate the treatment, but they can control their nutrition and exercise which helps them feel a little more empowered along the way.”

Exercise physiologists also play a big role in empowering patients.

“It’s incredibly special to provide a space where patients feel empowered to improve their wellbeing, build confidence, connect with others and have an outlet or distraction when they need it most,” EWC Exercise Physiologist Natalie Fletcher said.

While for palliative care art therapist Anette Kulesza, she empowers her patients in creative ways.

“What I love about being an art therapist is the experience of being truly present for patients,” she said. “Holding a safe space and using art materials in a therapeutic way.”

The therapy that Rivkah Nathanson and her psychologist colleagues provide at our Women’s Mental Health service is powerful and rewarding for both patients and clinicians.

“I feel truly privileged to work with so many passionate, caring and skilled clinicians from all different disciplines,” Rivkah said. “And it’s so rewarding to play a role in supporting women to feel better about themselves and feel better in general.”

The rewards for patients can come from even the smallest of adjustments to daily activities, Grade 1 Occupational Therapist Annelli Cook said.

“I love being an occupational therapist because even the small changes can have a huge impact on someone’s confidence, independence and purpose in everyday life.”

Physiotherapists also assist patients to regain independence and confidence.

“We help problem solve for issues that are relevant to everyday life such as equipment needs, community access and return to hobbies,” Grade 2 Physiotherapist Sean Ho said.

While physiotherapists provide practical support for patients, for other allied health professionals like social worker Tanisha Khan, their focus is on emotional support.

“I listen, advocate and help empower patients navigate difficult times with a little more confidence and connection,” Tanisha said. “I love being a social worker because I get to be there for people when they need support the most.”

To every allied health professional at Cabrini, we’re all here for you, too. Thank you for the care, skill and compassion you bring to patients every day.