Department of Medical Engineering & Physics

Bioengineering - Rehabilitation Technology Unit

Assistive Technology is used widely as an adjunct to acute treatment and rehabilitation to ensure that tissue and tissue structures are protected and supported during healing and to assist the patient to optimise and maximise their function and their independence, despite residual disability.

The Rehabilitation Technology Unit (RTU) comprises Rehabilitation Engineering, Orthotics and Prosthetic Services operating from U Block on the Shenton Park Campus (SPC) of Royal Perth Hospital.  Royal Perth Hospital (SPC) provides the States only comprehensive and specialised rehabilitation facility with responsibility for spinal injuries, amputee, neurology, neurosurgery and orthopaedic rehabilitation.  The RTU provides tertiary services to hospital patients and where applicable, to community based patients across the State under the Community Aids and Equipment (CAEP) program in:

• wheelchair mobility
• pressure prevention and soft tissue management
• specialised seating
• complex aids to daily living
• augmentative communications (AAC)
• orthotics (including surgical footwear)
• interim prosthetics
• clinical biomechanics

RTU services comprise professional staff including rehabilitation engineers, biomedical engineers, scientific officers, nursing, occupational therapy, orthotists and prosthetists, technical and support staff working closely with sessional consultants.

In each of these areas, the Division strives to provide services that reflect world best practice and which maintain a high level of quality and cost effectiveness.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Principal Bioengineer, Mr. Trevor Jones on 618 9224-3226 or email to trevor.jones@health.wa.gov.au.