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Inpatient Physiotherapy Services

Who is referred to Physiotherapy?

Individuals who:

  • have decreased mobility and difficulty with transfers and walking
  • have respiratory problems
  • have reduced muscle strength
  • have balance problems
  • are frequent fallers

The Physiotherapist may then carry out all or some of the following intervention:-

Initial Assessment

We asses anyone who requires physiotherapy input. We do this with you or with family members present if appropriate. The assessment provides information on your previous abilities and may include respiratory, joint mobility, muscle strength, balance, mobility, pain and functional activity assessment

We offer:

  • Assessment
  • Advice
  • Treatment
  • Management

of your condition which may be due to respiratory difficulties, muscle wasting, lack of mobility, loss of joint movement and lack of confidence.

During this assessment we will discuss and agree with you the aims of treatment, the plan and the expected outcomes.

Person Centred Treatment Planning

This is where we will identify your current problems, set functional goals with you and plan treatments or management to achieve these goals. 

Equipment

If you require equipment we will asses what you need and supply it. We will supply suitable walking aids if these are required for you on the ward and to take home if necessary. We may assess for splints, collars and braces with the Orthotist if these are required as part of your treatment. We also will assess and refer you to the Prosthetist if you have had an amputation.

Specialist Treatments

We will either see you in the ward areas or in our therapy treatment areas, this includes our gym. A broad range of specialist treatments may be used;

  • Posture and positioning advice and management,
  • Chest care
  • Re-education of functional activities and balance such as  sitting, standing and walking,
  • Exercises
  • Assessment for aids and appliances. 

You are encouraged to actively take part in maximising your potential and aiming to return to normal function following ill health, trauma or disability for other reasons. We continually reassess your progress throughout your treatment programme and modify the treatment plan with you.

Discharge Support

Following our initial assessment, it may be appropriate for a trained rehabilitation assistant to see you and supervise your rehabilitation. Once planned goals have been achieved you  will be discharged from further treatment, but if further  advice is sought, either by you, your  relatives or other staff, the physiotherapists on the ward are available.

In some situations, further Physiotherapy intervention may be considered appropriate and referrals to colleagues in the community settings will be made.

Physiotherapists are key to planning safe and timely discharge from hospital and we work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team, such as:

  • Nurses
  • Occupational therapists
  • Care Managers
  • Speech and Language therapists 
  • Discharge co-ordinators
  • Medics
  • Dieticians. 
 

 At the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Hospital and William Harvey Hospital  there are Clinical Specialist Physiotherapists in:

  • Stroke

  • Neurology

  • Neurological Rehabilitation

  • Renal Medicine

  • Elderly Care

  • Vascular Surgery and Amputee Rehabilitation

  • Respiratory Medicine

  • Intensive Care and General Medicine

 Inpatient physiotherapists work from 8.30 to 4.30. Monday to Friday. There is an evening and weekend On Call service. This service is primarily for patients in need of Respiratory physiotherapy, but discharge facilitation is available.

Our hospitals have close links with Universities and the physiotherapy team often have undergraduate physiotherapy students from South East England and International Universities on supervised clinical placements.

Physiotherapists employed by this Trust are all registered with the Health Professions Council and, as such, are required to meet and maintain:

  • Standards of proficiency

  • Conduct

  • Performance

  • Ethics

  • Demonstrate Continuing Professional Development.

Contact us

Kent & Canterbury Hospital 
Ethelbert Road
Canterbury
CT1 3NG

  • Tel: 01227 783065 ext 7225386 

William Harvey Hospital
Kennington Road
Ashford
TN24 0LZ

  • Tel: 01233 616085  

Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Hospital                             
Ramsgate Road
Margate
CT9 4BG  

  • Tel: 01843 225544   
The following are links to leaflets and web sites that we think may be useful to our patients, regarding inpatient physiotherapy services. 

For a full listing of available resources please go to the Trust’s web directory of patient information