Gait and Balance Gym

Clinic name	Gait and Balance Gym
Unit	Aged, Cancer and Continuing Care
Head of Unit	Dr. Mizhgan Fatima
Consultant/s	Dr. Mizhgan Fatima Mrs Solange Bernardo Dr. Myrla Sales
Clinic Description	Working in conjunction with the Falls and Fractures Clinic, the Gait and Balance Gym provides exercise-based balance training programs to older adults over the age of 65 years to prevent falls and fractures.
Inclusion criteria	Patients must be: Aged 65 and over Have no serious memory deficits (MMSE >18) Be able to mobilise independently or with a gait aid (frame, stick, etc.) Provided consent/be willing to attend the clinic Patients may also present with: History of falls and/or fractures Balance deficits caused by physical, neurological, and/or vestibular deficits Sarcopenia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and/or other musculoskeletal conditions Other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes
Exclusion criteria	Patients from aged care facilities Wheelchair bound Dementia/cognitive impairments (MMSE <18) Aged under 65
Minimum investigations/clinical information required	Referrals for the Gait and Balance Gym must include: Patient medical history Referral form for Individual Allied Health Services under Medicare for patients with a chronic medical condition and complex care needs GP management plan (item 721) and team care arrangement (item 723) Our accredited exercise physiologist will follow up with referrals containing missing information.
How to refer	Complete the attached referral form, GP Management Plan (item 721), and Team Care Arrangement (item 723). Gait and Balance Gym GP Referral Form
Contact for Urgent Referrals	Contact Dr. Myrla Sales (Exercise Physiologist) on (03) 8395 8273
Hours of Operation	Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 9am–4pm
Clinic Location	Level 4 WCHRE Building Sunshine Hospital 176 Furlong Road St Albans VIC 3021
Billing	MBS Clinic – patients are bulk billed. Referrals should be addressed to the Gait and Balance Gym or Dr. Myrla Sales (Accredited Exercise Physiologist).
Last updated	13-09-2023

In the case of a life threatening emergency, call 30020.