Your community outpatient physiotherapy appointment will normally last 30 minutes and we ask that you arrive in plenty of time, as parking may be difficult at times.
We normally ask that you arrive five to ten minutes before your appointment time on your first appointment, this is to allow time to fill in some short questionnaires.
You will also be asked to complete the same questionnaires at the end of your treatment. This enables us to monitor your progress and helps us to ensure we are continuing to deliver effective treatment.
If you arrive late it is sometimes not possible for the physiotherapist to still see you and you may be asked to rearrange your appointment.
At your appointment
- We will ask you a series of questions about your problem, there may be quite a few questions but the more information we have at this stage the more accurately we will be able to diagnose your problem.
- Where appropriate there will be a full examination of the area. We want you to feel comfortable throughout the assessment so you may want to bring suitable clothing to aid the assessment i.e shorts for a problem with your lower limb or ladies may wish to bring a thin strapped top for a shoulder problem.
- You will need to bring a recent list of your medications.
- If you have had any tests done privately such as scans then please bring these with you if you are able.
- Once we have a working diagnosis this will be explained to you and options for treatment will be discussed. You will have the opportunity to ask questions if you have any.
- If it is thought that physiotherapy will be helpful for your condition then the appropriate course of treatment will be offered.
- If this included walking aids these will normally be provided on the day of assessment if available.
- It is highly likely that the treatment will involve a specifically targeted home exercise plan. It is important that you are willing to do these exercises on a regular basis if you wish to see good long term benefit from your physiotherapy sessions
- The physiotherapist will also provide you with advice on how to best manage your condition. This is to help prevent the recurrence of your symptoms in the future and may include lifestyle or postural advice.
- Referral for further management or investigation can be made if this is necessary.
- A child under 16 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
- For those with communication difficulties we are able to provide a translator including sign language, although you are welcome to bring a family member or carer if you would prefer.