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.