Medico-Legal & Independent Assessments.

Professional, accurate Allied Health assessments form the backbone of management strategies for a multitude of clients, particularly those with complex injuries. Smart Health has an experienced team of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists who specialise in a range of assessments, including Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessments, Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) and Independent Physiotherapy Assessments. These assessments rely on experienced therapists spending sufficient time with a client to gain a balanced, objective view of that client’s function. The subsequent report needs to be written in easy-to-read, plain English, to allow all of those involved in a client’s management to use the results of the assessment, to improve outcomes for their client.

Smart Health’s team of therapists, profiled below, have decades of experience in functional client assessment. Our therapists possess the skills required to provide timely, accurate, objective assessments for any client.

*** For any enquiries regarding Medico-legal Assessments or Independent Client Assessments, please contact our Practice Manager Linda McMahon on 8293 1100, or Linda.McMahon@smarthealthtraining.com.au. ***

Our Occupational Therapists that perform Medico-Legal Assessments:

Melissa Campbell

Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy), University of SA, graduating in 1997.

Melissa has worked as an Occupational Therapist in the area of personal injury, workplace rehabilitation and return to work services for the past 8 years.

Immediately following her graduation she worked at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre where she gained invaluable clinical experience in the areas of Orthopaedics, Amputees, General Medical Conditions and Neurological conditions. Following working overseas she worked for CRS Australia as an Occupational Therapist performing various assessments, case management services and as a rehabilitation consultant for various companies across different industries.

Melissa has worked for Smart Health for 2 years as an Occupational Therapist performing Functional Capacity Evaluations and Activities of Daily Living Assessments for the self insured and compensable markets. Melissa sees great benefit in working closely with other members of a large and experienced multidisciplinary team at Smart Health. Together with a cohesive administration team Melissa believes that Smart Health Assessment Services are second to none.

Megan Leaney (formerly Barratt)

Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy), University of SA, graduating in 1982.

Megan has worked as an Occupational Therapist in the area of personal injury and workplace rehabilitation for the past 5 years and has experience as an injury and claims manager for a private company. She has previous clinical experience in the areas of paediatrics (children with sensory, intellectual and physical disabilities), brain injury and neurological conditions, spinal injuries and adult disability services and has been in private practise for some years. She provides case management services for clients. Megan has undertaken upper limb function research, and has extensive experience in equipment assessment and prescription, and in technology assessment and training for clients with significant disability.

Georgina Stavropoulos

Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)

Georgina Stavropoulos has worked as an Occupational Therapist since 2002. She has spent the most part of her career in private practice and has gained significant knowledge and skills in medico-legal assessments and vocational rehabilitation. Georgina has also gained experience in the areas of orthopaedic, amputee, burns and spinal injury rehabilitation while working at an Adelaide rehabilitation centre, for a number of years.

Madeleine Trewartha

Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)

Madeleine has worked in both the government and private sectors of health care since completing her Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of South Australia in 1996. Her background includes clinical practice in the UK in specialist rehabilitation units, as well as development of rehabilitation training for therapists in Pakistan after their 2005 earthquake. She specialises in areas of physical disability around functional assessment and retraining, complex equipment prescription and environmental modification.

Madeleine also has involvement in the research field, having a paper regarding a recent clinical trial she conducted, accepted for publication. She continues her focus in both clinical and training components of occupational therapy practice and provides ADL assessment services utilising her vast knowledge and experience to the compensable market.

Our Physiotherapists that perform Medico-Legal & Independent Assessments:

Nick Ireland

Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)
Certificate in Myofascial Release
Certificate in Trigger Point Therapy
Certificate in Advanced Sports Massage
Certificate in Dry Needling
Presentation - SISA (Self Insurers of SA) (2008) 'Getting more from your physiotherapy service.'

Nick Ireland graduated from the University of South Australia in 1996 and has been working in private practice since 1997. He has developed a strong focus with hands-on treatment and exercise therapy. Further studies in trigger point therapy, dry needling and myofascial release have allowed Nick access to a broader range of direct treatment. His base in exercise therapy began as a fitness leader during the mid 1990s and since that time, he has continued to develop his skills in rehabilitative exercise.

Nick was a founder of Smart Ball Pty Ltd, a company which designed and conducted education workshops for fellow health professionals throughout Australia. This teaching background has followed through into the Occupational Health field, where he now conducts manual handling and workplace safety training programs for companies nationwide.

Nick performs FCEs, worksite assessments, Job Analysis assessments, Job Dictionaries and pre-employment assessments for the self insured and compensable markets.

Mark Johnston

Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)
Bachelor of Education
Master of Science in Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) Member
World Champion Australian Canoe Polo Team Physiotherapist (1998)

Beginning his working life with a degree in Physical Education, Mark focused more on the science of human movement before moving into the fitness and rehabilitation industry, soon after leaving Teachers College. A thirst for more knowledge, meant that he traveled to the USA and completed a Masters Degree in Sports Medicine at Springfield College, Massachusetts.

Upon returning to Australia, Mark worked in various roles in semi-government and the private sector, developing and implementing programs in health management and injury rehabilitation. A desire to have a more direct impact on people’s physical health, led to a return to full-time study, completing a degree in Physiotherapy (1996). Since then, Mark has combined education, sports medicine and physiotherapy to offer a humanistic and holistic approach to health and wellness.

Mark currently shares his time between a hands-on role in the Smart Health clinic and a range of industrial training programs, which focus on self-management, prevention and rehabilitation of workplace injuries. Mark also provides education seminars to a variety of health professionals and students.

Mark performs Independent Physiotherapy Assessments, worksite assessments, Job Analysis assessments and Job Dictionaries.

Anh Vo

Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)
Master of Physiotherapy (Sports)
Sports Physiotherapy (Levels 1&2)

Anh has worked in private practice since completing his Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy, 1997 and went on to complete a Master of Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia, 2000, specialising in sports injury assessment, management and rehabilitation. Anh is also highly experienced with musculoskeletal, accident and workplace injuries. His other interest lies with biomechanical video analysis, acupuncture/dry needling and exercise therapy.

Anh has worked with several high level sporting associations, most notably as Head Physiotherapist for Cheerio State League Netball Team and Uncle Toby’s Women’s and Men’s Satellite Tennis Tournaments in South Australia, for Tennis Australia.

Anh performs Independent Physiotherapy Assessments.

Thanh Ho

Bachelor Physiotherapy
B App Sc Sports Science
B App Sc Exercise Physiology (Hons)

Thanh's interest in physiotherapy involves general and sports injuries, strength and conditioning programs and nutritional advice. He also has experience in teaching hydrotherapy and Pilates. His focus is on quality hands on treatment with use of basic acupuncture and dry needling techniques.

Thanh has also worked as the Physiotherapist for the Adelaide Black Falcons.

Thanh performs Independent Physiotherapy Assessments.

Assessments Explained:

Functional Capacity Evaluation
FCEs have long been the tool of choice in objective client assessment. Smart Health’s experienced OTs and Physiotherapists can provide the rigorously-tested WorkHab FCE, to accurately gauge an employee’s current work capacity. Tests that may be conducted include fitness tests, postural endurance & movement tests, manual handling, or specified work tasks. The client’s heart rate and perceived exertion is monitored throughout the evaluation. We then integrate the data collected to provide a comprehensive report stating a client’s abilities & limitations, discussing performance and giving suggested recommendations.

Pre-Employment Assessment

This is an objective functional assessment of a person's ability to perform the essential physical demands of a job. The WorkHab FCE system can be adapted to provide a proficient and dynamic form of pre-employment screening which systematically fulfils legal requirements. It is particularly useful for assessing an individual’s physical capabilities in relation to a specific task/job analysis, and therefore their suitability for high risk and physically demanding duties. A pre employment screening can assist in reducing an employer’s premiums associated with workplace injuries and lost time.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessments
ADL assessments are performed in a client’s home to identify any limitations in personal care, household tasks and recreational & social activities as a result of an injury. An ADL assessment is required to be completed when an injured worker is reporting limitations or difficulties with performing personal care and domestic tasks, and assists the process of return to work as it assesses the client’s home environment and their ability to perform certain tasks. If tasks at home are performed in an unsafe manner, the person is at risk of delaying their recovery from their injury, which has a direct impact on their ability to achieve an early return to work.

Independent Physiotherapy Assessment
Often during the rehabilitation of an injured worker, their progress and diagnosis can become clouded by miscommunication. Our experienced Physiotherapists offer an Independent Assessment of an injured employee, reporting on the injury history, working diagnosis and recommended management. In many cases, this can mark a turning point in your employee’s rehabilitation.

Suitable Duties Plan
A suitable duties plan can be developed in conjunction with a worksite assessment to outline the worker’s duties, restrictions and appropriate work upgrades to achieve an injured worker’s safe return to work. The suitable duties plan is tailored to meet the needs of the injured worker and the employer and is developed following a thorough consultative process with all relevant parties, including medical and treating practitioners.

Clinical Assessment, Treatment, Exercise Therapy & Rehabilitation
Our clinic in Keswick, on the city fringe of Adelaide, has amassed a group of the finest Allied Health professionals to provide treatment services for injured workers. Physiotherapists, chiropractors and massage therapists work together in an integrated environment combining treatment rooms, Pilates and a rehabilitation gym. Treating private and work-related injuries, our focus is always on rapid resolution of symptoms and improvement of function.

Smart Health has drawn together the very best and most experienced practitioners who have a passion for working together as a health care team, ensuring the client is receiving the best possible service. These practitioners are experts in their respective fields, most offering over ten years of experience plus holding relevant mentoring, lecturing or trainer qualifications.