Inpatient Therapy
The Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Departments provide a service of assessment and treatment for patients with either permanent or temporary disabilities, with the aim of maximising function and preventing further disability.
The service is provided across a wide range of clinical specialities in the Trust.
Physiotherapy helps restore movement and function to as near normal as possible when someone is affected by injury, illness, or by developmental or other disability. A comprehensive physiotherapy service is provided to both inpatients and outpatients.
Occupational therapy focuses on optimising a patient's ability to participate meaningfully in activities of daily life, including the home environment and work situations. Assessment and appropriate treatment is carried out and goals set, to enable adaptation to functional difficulties and maximisation of independence and quality of life.
The Inpatient Therapy Service focuses on inpatient care and liaises with colleagues within health and social services for community care needs.
What services are available?
The Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Departments covers specialities including:
- Respiratory medicine
- Critical care
- Orthopaedics
- Amputees
- Neurology rehabilitation – including stroke, paediatrics and elderly care
Where does inpatient physiotherapy take place?
The Inpatient Physiotherapy Service is based is in the Physiotherapy Building in the Blue Zone, where there are two gyms, a hydrotherapy pool and activities of daily living rehabilitation facilities.
In addition, the Stroke Unit (Beech Ward) has a gym and kitchen facility within the ward, and a further gym for inpatient rehabilitation is located on the second floor of the Riverside Building.
Who are inpatient physiotherapy services for?
Ward staff will inform the therapists on a daily basis of any patients requiring occupational therapy or physiotherapy.
Therapists will then assess and treat patients on the ward or in one of the rehabilitation facilities. Occasionally the occupational therapists will assess a patient on a home visit.
How can you contact the Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Departments?
Occupational Therapy Department
T: 020 3192 6365
Outpatient Physiotherapy Department
T: 020 8333 3148
Who are the key staff?
All therapists are state registered by the Health Professions Council and each team is led by a senior physiotherapist/occupational therapist with specialist skills in the appropriate clinical area. All therapy staff employed by the Trust participate in robust appraisal and teaching programmes.
What else do you need to know?
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists will initially assess patients on the ward and then treat subsequently as the condition indicates. It is usually acceptable for relatives and carers to join treatment sessions, with patient permission. If further therapy input is required after discharge, this will be organised by the ward therapist.