We’ve been asked how you find an allied health practitioner in your area.
We’ve compiled a list of peak body organisations that can help you find those health professionals who would be a great part of your care team. They may offer online sessions for those in regional and remote areas. NDIS early intervention goals in your plan can help pay for services.
If you’ve read about the importance of making a multidisciplinary healthcare team and who should be on your care team, the next step is finding an allied health professional.
- General Practitioner (GP): Your GP can provide referrals to specialists and allied health professionals who have experience with Parkinson’s disease.
- Specialist neurologists: Neurologists, especially those specialising in movement disorders, can offer valuable guidance and referrals.
- Parkinson’s organisations: State or Territory-based organisations like Fight Parkinson’s (VIC) and The Hospital Research Foundation – Parkinson’s SA& NT or ACT provide resources and contacts for allied health professionals. You can visit their website or contact the infoline if you need help.
- Local support groups: Join local Parkinson’s support groups face-to-face or online to connect with others and receive recommendations for trusted allied health professionals.
- Local hospitals and clinics: Many hospitals and clinics have specialised clinics for Parkinson’s disease, where you can find a team of allied health professionals.
- Online directories: Websites like the Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) offer directories of allied health professionals.
- Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) https://my.aasw.asn.au/s/find-a-social-worker
- Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) https://choose.physio/find-a-physio
- Australian Podiatry Association (APA) https://www.podiatry.org.au/find-a-podiatrist
- Australian Psychological Society (APS) https://psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist
- Dietitians Australia https://member.dietitiansaustralia.org.au/Portal/Portal/Search-Directories/Find-a-Dietitian.aspx
- Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) https://www.essa.org.au/Web/Member-search.aspx
- Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) https://www.otaus.com.au/find-an-ot
- Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists: It’s best to ring the infoline or ask your GP for a referral to a nurse that specialises in Parkinson’s.
- Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Shared_Content/Smart-Suite/Smart-Maps/Public/Find-a-Speech-Pathologist.aspx
References:
Goldman, J. G., Volpe, D., Ellis, T. D., Hirsch, M. A., Johnson, J., Wood, J., Aragon, A., Biundo, R., Di Rocco, A., Kasman, G. S., Iansek, R., Miyasaki, J., McConvey, V. M., Munneke, M., Pinto, S., St Clair, K. A., Toledo, S., York, M. K., Todaro, R., Yarab, N., … Wallock, K. (2024). Delivering Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Care in Parkinson’s Disease: An International Consensus Statement. Journal of Parkinson’s disease, 14 (1), 135–166. https://doi.org/10.3233/JPD-230117
