Refer a patient to us

Referral Process:

REFER A PATIENT TO US

Professional Referrals & Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• At Optimal Functioning Occupational Therapy | N. Ally Mohamed Inc., we value collaborative relationships with healthcare professionals, hospitals, case managers, schools and other organisations involved in our patients’ care.
• Our aim is to make the referral process simple, efficient and clinically useful, while supporting continuity of care through appropriate communication with the referring practitioner.
• We provide evidence-based, person-centred Occupational Therapy services across a broad range of clinical areas and work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams wherever appropriate.

 

HOW TO REFER A PATIENT

Healthcare professionals may refer a patient by providing a brief referral letter on the referring practice or facility letterhead.

The referral does not need to be extensive. A concise referral containing the patient’s details, diagnosis and reason for referral is sufficient for our team to begin the intake process.

 

Minimum Referral Information

Please include:

• Patient name and surname
• Patient contact number
• ICD-10 diagnosis code
• Reason for referral / Occupational Therapy request
• Any additional clinical information, relevant medical history, precautions, investigation results or treatment information may also be included where clinically relevant.

 

SIMPLE REFERRAL EXAMPLE:

Dear Occupational Therapist

Attention: N. Ally Mohamed Inc. – Occupational Therapy
Practice Number: 1227297

Kindly assess and manage the following patient:

Patient Name and Surname: ______________________________

Patient Contact Number: ______________________________

ICD-10 Code: ______________________________

Reason for Referral: ______________________________

Relevant clinical information may be added where appropriate.

 

SEND THE REFERRAL TO US

Once the referral has been completed, the patient may be given a copy together with our practice contact information.

 

We also request that a copy of the referral be sent directly to our reception team so that we can assist with patient intake and appointment arrangements.

 

Practice Referral Contacts

WhatsApp: 072 491 5342

Telephone: 012 001 8483

Reception Email: reception@optimalfunctioning.co.za

Alternative Email: optimalfunctioningot@gmail.com

 

What Happens Next?

Once the referral is received, our team will:

1. Review the referral information provided.

2. Contact the patient or responsible person where appropriate.

3. Assist with appointment arrangements and relevant administrative requirements.

4. Complete the appropriate Occupational Therapy assessment.

5. Develop an individualised management plan according to the patient’s functional needs and clinical presentation.

6. Communicate relevant findings or recommendations to the referring practitioner where clinically appropriate and in accordance with applicable consent, confidentiality and information-sharing requirements.

 

NOT SURE WHETHER TO REFER?

Occupational Therapy addresses much more than physical rehabilitation.

If you are uncertain whether a patient may benefit from Occupational Therapy, you are welcome to contact our practice before making a referral.

 

Our team can assist you in determining whether Occupational Therapy assessment or intervention may be appropriate and advise on the most suitable service pathway.

Call: 012 001 8483
WhatsApp: 072 491 5342
Email: reception@optimalfunctioning.co.za

 

WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY REFERRAL?

Referral may be appropriate when a health condition, injury, disability, developmental difficulty, psychological condition or environmental barrier is interfering with a person's ability to participate effectively in everyday life.

 

This may include difficulties involving:

• Personal care and activities of daily living
• Home and community independence
• School participation and academic functioning
• Work capacity, occupational performance and return to work
• Routine, motivation and occupational balance
• Cognitive and executive functioning
• Emotional regulation and functional participation in mental health
• Upper-limb and hand function
• Neurological rehabilitation
• Functional mobility and independence
• Developmental and paediatric functioning
• Caregiver support and environmental adaptation
• Functional capacity and medico-legal assessment

 

OUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES

Our practice provides Occupational Therapy services across the lifespan, including:

• Mental Health Occupational Therapy
  • Assessment and intervention for adolescents and adults experiencing mental health conditions or functional difficulties affecting routine, participation, independence, education, work and community functioning.
• Neurological Rehabilitation
  • Functional rehabilitation following stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.
• Hand & Upper-Limb Therapy
  • Assessment and rehabilitation following fractures, soft-tissue injuries, nerve injuries, surgery and other conditions affecting hand and upper-limb function.
• Vocational Rehabilitation & Return to Work
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations, work-related assessment, graded return-to-work planning, workplace recommendations and functional rehabilitation.
• Paediatric Occupational Therapy
  • Support for developmental, functional, school-related, handwriting, sensory and participation difficulties affecting children and adolescents.
• Geriatric & Chronic Care
  • Support aimed at maintaining independence, safety, meaningful participation and quality of life for older adults and individuals living with chronic health conditions.
• Medico-Legal & Functional Assessment
  • Objective Occupational Therapy assessment of functional ability, occupational performance, future care requirements and vocational implications where appropriate

For detailed information regarding our areas of practice, please visit our Practice / Services page.

 

MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE

We believe that effective healthcare is strengthened through collaboration.

 

Our Occupational Therapists work alongside referring doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapists, other allied health professionals, case managers, employers, schools, caregivers and other members of the patient’s support system where clinically appropriate.

 

Our approach is integrative, function-focused and patient-centred, with Occupational Therapy contributing a unique understanding of how health conditions affect a person's ability to participate in their actual day-to-day roles, routines and environments.

 

FEEDBACK TO REFERRING PRACTITIONERS

Continuity of care is an important part of our referral process.

 

Where clinically appropriate, and subject to applicable patient consent, confidentiality and information-sharing requirements, the referring practitioner may receive relevant feedback following assessment or during the course of intervention.

 

Feedback may include:

• Assessment findings
• Functional difficulties identified
• Occupational Therapy goals
• Management recommendations
• Relevant multidisciplinary recommendations
• Progress or discharge information where appropriate
• Practitioners are also welcome to contact our team should they wish to discuss the patient's management.

 

PRACTITIONER-TO-PRACTITIONER COMMUNICATION

For clinical discussions, referral queries, collaborative management or other practitioner-related matters, healthcare professionals may contact:

 

Nabeel Ally Mohamed
Chief Occupational Therapist
N. Ally Mohamed Inc. | Optimal Functioning Occupational Therapy

Email: nabeel@optimalfunctioning.co.za

 

Alternatively, contact our reception team and request practitioner-to-practitioner communication:

Telephone: 012 001 8483
WhatsApp: 072 491 5342
Email: reception@optimalfunctioning.co.za

 

MEDICAL AID & FUNDED CARE

Optimal Functioning Occupational Therapy is registered with major South African medical schemes.

 

We are also an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) within PPO Serve programmes, including applicable GEMS pathways, and we are registered with all major medical schemes.

 

Where clinically and administratively appropriate, our practice can assist patients with supporting clinical documentation and Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) motivation processes, subject to the requirements, benefits and approval criteria of the relevant medical scheme.

 

Medical aid benefits and authorisation requirements differ between schemes and benefit options. Patients are therefore encouraged to confirm their available Occupational Therapy benefits with their medical scheme.

 

 

COLLABORATE WITH US

We appreciate the trust that referring professionals place in our practice.

Our goal is not simply to receive referrals, but to develop strong professional relationships that support coordinated, comprehensive and patient-centred care.

For referral assistance, clinical collaboration or further information about our Occupational Therapy services, please contact our team.

Optimal Functioning Occupational Therapy
N. Ally Mohamed Inc.

Telephone: 012 001 8483
WhatsApp: 072 491 5342
Email: reception@optimalfunctioning.co.za