A snapshot of rehabilitation referrals in rural New South Wales.

The aim of this paper is to describe patterns of referral to inpatient rehabilitation in rural NSW. Archival records of referrals to one rural speciality medical rehabilitation service during 2004 and 2005 were analysed using descriptive statistics displayed using tables and graphs. Seventy-six referrers referred 922 patients for inpatient rehabilitation. Almost two-thirds (63.6%) came from the local acute hospital. Most referrals (80.4%) were considered appropriate for inpatient rehabilitation. Almost three-quarters (72.5%) of the patients referred were admitted.