Neurology

Neurology is available at Epworth Richmond.

Since the establishment of Neuroscience services at the Hospital in 1970, Epworth has won a well deserved reputation for providing the highest levels of patient care and clinical support in all aspects of Neuroscience care.

The Neuroscience Unit has 51 beds, located in two units and include an 8 bed High Dependency Unit. The Centre, with more than 40 medical staff and neuroscience health professionals, including an executive of seven, represents excellence in the practice of neurology and neurosurgery. It aims to increase the profile of the neurology and neurosurgical services at Epworth and will develop practice and teach advanced techniques in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurological disease.

The Unit is staffed by nurses who are experienced and skilled in caring for patients with Neurosurgical or Neurological conditions. In the High Dependency unit the nurse to patient ration is 1:1. The ratio of nurse to patient is adjusted daily in the rest of the unit, depending on acuity. Additional support is provided by a Clinical Care Coordinator and Stroke Care Nurse.

Facilities and Support

  • 24 hour Emergency Department with on-call specialist Neurosurgeons, Neurologists and Anaesthetists. 
  • Melbourne Diagnostic Group offers the potential for investigative Neuro-Radiology and has facilities including:
    - CT Scanner
    - Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI)
    - Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)
    - SPECT Scanner
    - Allegro Work Station 
  • Melbourne Pathology 
  • EEG 
  • Interventional Neurology
  • 15-bed Intensive Care Unit providing specialised medical and nursing care 
  • 51-bed Neuroscience Unit offering private and shared accommodation including an 8-bed High Dependency Unit. 
  • Neurosurgical operating theatres with sophisticated facilities enabling all major Neurosurgical procedures to be performed.
  • Allied Health Support:
    - Physiotherapists
    - Speech Pathologist
    - Neuro-psychologist
    - Dieticians
    - Patient Support Staff
    - Chaplain
    - Occupational Therapist 
  • Early involvement of rehabilitation specialists 
  • Involvement of the referring GP in the following up and ongoing care of patients 
  • Ability for patient to select their own specialist 

  • Epworth Hospital provides clinical placement and mentors for nurses undertaking the RMIT critical care (Neuroscience) course.

Common Admissions

The most common admissions include:

  • Cervical and lumbar surgery 
  • Craniotomy for tumours, microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve, treatment of aneurysms, evacuation of subdural haemorrhages etc. 
  • Treatment of acute stroke
  • Treatment of migraines, cluster headaches, and related vascular conditions 
  • Ventricular pressure monitoring for hydrocephalus 
  • Treatment of meningitis, encephalitis and related disorders 
  • Assessment of acute confused states in the elderly 
  • Other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis 
  • Other neurological procedures

Neurology Clinical Care Coordinator - Epworth Richmond
Kieren Lawless 03 9426 8542

Doctors & Services