Straightforward answers, for patients and professionals.

Your first visit is about understanding your whole recovery, not just one problem. You'll meet the disciplines relevant to your condition — often physiotherapy and occupational therapy first, with psychology, speech therapy or dietetics added where they're needed. Together you'll agree clear, personal goals: walking further, returning to work, managing a chronic condition, or simply feeling steadier day to day. Bring your hospital discharge letter, a list of your medication, and the name of your medical aid. The assessment usually takes about an hour, and transport to and from it can be arranged.

The first weeks at home are where recovery is won or lost. Keep moving within safe limits, follow your exercise plan daily even when progress feels slow, and make small changes to your home — clear walkways, a shower chair, frequently used items within reach. Eat regular, protein-rich meals to help tissue heal, and watch for low mood or anxiety, which are common and treatable. OA's programme coordinates all of this, so you're not managing physiotherapy, psychology and nutrition as separate battles.

OA is accepted by most major medical aids, and our team handles the authorisation process for you — we submit the request, motivate for the sessions your programme needs, and follow up. Many plans also cover patient transport under a transport or ambulance benefit. If you're not yet on a medical aid, or your cover is limited, we accept card payments and can help you apply for a suitable plan. You'll always know what is covered before your programme begins, so cost is one less thing to worry about.

Group sessions bring together patients recovering from similar conditions — stroke, cancer, cardiac events, or mental health challenges. A therapist guides each session, but much of the value comes from the group itself: shared progress, honest conversation, and the reassurance of people who understand. Sessions run alongside your individual programme, never instead of it. Light meals and refreshments are provided, and there's a comfortable space to rest between sessions. Transport is included, the same as for individual appointments.

Transport is included and arranged for you — we collect you from home and bring you back after every session. Most programmes run two to three sessions a week, scheduled around your energy levels and other appointments. Bring your discharge letter, medication list, medical aid details, comfortable clothing and any walking aid you use. Family members are welcome at assessments and can be included in planning. If you need to cancel, let us know as early as you can so we can adjust your transport.

OA sits at the outpatient end of the Acute → Rehab → Outpatient continuum. A referral doesn't restart care — your discharge notes and goals feed directly into the OA case plan, and the multidisciplinary team builds on your clinical work. To refer, call or WhatsApp with the patient's details and what they need; OA responds within 24 hours, handles medical aid authorisation, and arranges transport. From day one you have visibility of the programme through progress reports and case discussions.

Every referral opens a feedback loop with four parts: regular progress and outcome reports measured against the goals set at discharge; an open invitation to join MDT case discussions on your shared patients; a direct line to the treating therapist, with no call centre in between; and a full discharge summary at the end of the programme. The intention is simple — you should never lose sight of a patient because you referred them onward.

A single-page summary of the OA referral partnership — the continuum model, the four things you receive when you refer, the disciplines covered, and how to start a referral — drawn from the approved referral partner presentation. The one-pager is being finalised. WhatsApp us on 075 407 0763 and we'll send the current version straight to you, along with anything else your team needs to add OA to a formal referral pathway.

Psychological support is one of the most frequently skipped referrals after a cancer diagnosis, yet distress, anxiety and depression significantly affect treatment adherence and recovery. OA's clinical psychologists work as part of the same team managing a patient's physiotherapy, occupational therapy and dietetics, so mental health care isn't a separate appointment the patient has to seek out alone. Group programmes for cancer patients add peer support. This ties into OA's community awareness work on the importance of early psychology referral.