Physiotherapy

The following are just some of the departments our Physiotherapists work in and the treatments they carry out:

Outpatients

Spinal and joint problems, accidents and sports’ injuries.

Intensive Care

Keeping limbs mobile and chests clear.

Women’s Health

Advising on ante and post-natal care, exercise and posture and managing incontinence and post-gynaecological operations.

Care of Elderly

Maintaining their mobility and independence, rehabilitation after falls or treating arthritic problems.

Stroke Patients

Helping people with paralysed limbs to restore normal movement.

Orthopaedics

Helping after hip, knee and other joint replacements; treating patients who have had accidents.

Mental Illness

Holding relaxation and body awareness classes and improving confidence and self-esteem through exercise.

Occupational Health

Working within organisations treating employees and looking at the way people work to help prevent repetitive strain injury.

People with Learning Difficulties

Developing people’s potential through sport and recreation; assessing and providing specialist footwear, seating and equipment.

Paediatrics

Providing assessment and treatment for neonates with congenital deformities
i.e. congenital foot deformities; treating children following accidents; aiding children with chest conditions; helping children with mental and physical conditions.

Community

Treating a wide range of patients at home and giving advice to those who care for people.

Surgical Wards

Helping patients after surgery to keep their chest clear, exercise to get stronger and help to start walking again.

Medical Wards

Helping patients after illness to keep their chest clear, exercise to get stronger and help to start walking again. Treatments can be split into inpatient and outpatients sections.

Inpatients
Mobilisation – Getting patients walking after illness, injury or surgery
Respiratory Care – Advising patients of chest clearance techniques and management of long term chest conditions
Exercise – Advising patients on appropriate exercise to improve movement and muscle strength.

Amputee Physiotherapy
Helping people who have undergone a limb amputation to maintain independence and improve mobility. Treatments:

Amputee rehabilitation – This can include strengthening exercises, balance exercises and prosthetic rehabilitation.

Patients are normally referred to the department by a Consultant based in the hospital. Outpatient referrals are taken from Consultants and direct from the Accident and Emergency (ED) department. Physiotherapy uses a booked appointment system and referrals are prioritised as necessary.

Inpatient referrals are made by Doctors or Nursing staff on hospital wards. Some areas have an open referral system and the Physios will decide for themselves who requires treatment.

At your appointment you will be assessed by your Physio who will decide on the appropriate treatment. Depending on your illness or injury, this treatment might involve: acupuncture, exercise, electrotherapy,  facial stimulator, hydrotherapy, mobilisations/manipulations, muscle imbalance/stability work, and traction.

The hospital does not accept GP referrals apart from in some specialist areas.

All our Physiotherapy staff are fully qualified, state registered Physiotherapists who have completed a three or four year honours degree course in Physiotherapy. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional body that produces guidelines for evidence-based practice, ensuring the highest standard of quality care.

Our department consists of the following members of staff:

Physiotherapy Manager

Has responsibility for the strategic planning of the physiotherapy service and
responsibility for the overall management and decision making of the department.

Clinical Lead Physiotherapists

Have a very high level of expertise in the area in which they work. They are responsible for the operational management of the clinical area they specialise in and the training and management of the other Physiotherapists and Assistants within their team.

Physiotherapists

Are beginning to decide which area to specialise in and will undertake relevant training and courses.

Senior I Physiotherapists

Head each clinical area. They have a great deal of experience and training in their speciality.

Senior II Physiotherapists

Are beginning to decide which area to specialise in and will undertake relevant training and courses.

Staff Grade Physiotherapists

Are newly qualified and will rotate through all the clinical areas to gain as much experience as possible.

Technical Instructors

Assist the Physiotherapists and have undertaken extra formal training to enable them to have their own patient list and organise themselves and, in some cases, an assistant team.

Physiotherapy Assistants

Assist the Physiotherapists with patients that need help to walk and other relevant activities.

Secretary

Has responsibility for administration, keeping of statistics and writing letters.

Clerical staff

Organise the appointment system for patients, alter appointments when necessary and inform the Therapists of patient’s arrival.

here are ranges of treatments used in the Physiotherapy outpatient department. After your Consultant or another Doctor in the team has referred you to us, your Physio will carry out an assessment that will usually last around 40 minutes. A treatment plan will then be developed for your specific need.

Some examples of the treatments we provide are:

Acupuncture

The insertion of needles into the body can have an effect on some symptoms, such as pain or nausea. Some members of the Physiotherapy staff have training in acupuncture and you may be offered this treatment if it is felt to be appropriate for your condition.

Exercise

This may be to strengthen or re-educate certain muscle groups such as the quadricep muscles that may have wasted in patients with arthritic knees.

Electrotherapy

This may be ultrasound, megapulse, interferential or TENS. Your Physio will explain these terms.

Facial Stimulator

This is used for people who have Bell’s palsy and exercises the facial muscles.

Mobilisations/Manipulations

These are useful when stiff joints may be causing a problem.

Muscle imbalance/Stability work

Some muscles may have shortened, while others may have lengthened, or even stopped working. This treatment will aim to correct the problems.

Traction

Is a modality of treatment that may be used for certain spinal conditions.

These are just some of the treatment methods used. Your Physio will discuss all aspects of your care with you at your initial assessment.

How will I receive my first appointment?

You will receive your first appointment either through the post or by telephone if it is from a cancellation. If necessary, the appointment time can be changed by ringing the number provided. You may recieve a text to remind you of your initial appointment.

How long will my appointment take?

Your initial assessment will last about 40 minutes, though you should allow for it to last for up to an hour.

What should I wear?

Wear suitable loose clothing such as a tracksuit or shorts and you can change on arrival if you want to. You may be asked to remove outer garments if your back or neck are to be treated.