Services – Royal Hospital

Acute Rehabilitation

One of 2 Acute Rehabilitation Units in KZN

Patients are admitted who have a traumatic injury, debilitating disease or following certain types of surgery. Acute rehabilitation is appropriate for patients who will benefit from an intensive, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Patients receive therapy from varying disciplines which includes physical, occupational and speech therapy as needed and are medically managed by an onsite Family Physician. Patients receive a minimum of three hours of therapy per day, up to six days a week. Therapy is provided on both a one-to-one and group basis, depending on the needs of the individual patient.

Sub-Acute Care

A combination of Medical and Physical treatment

Sub-acute level care is less intensive than acute rehabilitation. Although a combination of physical, occupational and speech therapy may be provided in the sub-acute setting, the number of hours each patient receives is lower. Generally, patients in a sub-acute facility only receive between one and two hours of therapy per day. The average length of stay at a sub-acute facility is also generally longer than at an acute hospital

Palliative Care

Specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual. Palliative care:

provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
affirms life and regards dying as a normal process
intends neither to hasten or postpone death
integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care
offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death
offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and in their own bereavement
uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if indicated
will enhance quality of life, and may also positively influence the course of illness
is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications.

Transitionary care

Specialized care during a movement from one healthcare setting to either another or to home

When you leave the hospital following treatment of an acute condition, you may require ongoing care for a chronic medical condition, as well as assistance with your day-to-day routine. Your care may necessitate special equipment or services. In these situations, a transitional care unit provides supportive care, and promotes safe and timely passage across care settings. Transitionary care is most often, a short-term care (less than 21 days) for medically complex patients transitioning from the hospital to home, or from one care setting and to another. The goal of the transitional care unit is to assist in recovery by providing the nursing and rehabilitative care necessary to help you or your family member regain a certain level of independence.