First-rate care, First-rate people, First-rate value

Outpatient Physiotherapy Service Leaflet

  1. Home
  2. Physiotherapy
  3. Outpatient Physiotherapy Service Leaflet

What does the service provide?

The Outpatient Physiotherapy Service at First Community consists of a team of specialist physiotherapists, who provide expert treatment and guidance to rehabilitate and re-educate people with a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders within a clinic setting. 

Your assessment

Due to COVID 19 pandemic, the Physiotherapy Service is operating a virtual first approach. For your first appointment you will be offered either a telephone or video assessment and this will usually take between 30-60 minutes. 

The following will be discussed in your assessment:

  • When your symptoms started
  • Your general health – past and present
  •  Any medication you are taking (please bring a list of present medication)

If further treatment is required, you may be asked to attend for follow up appointments or education/exercise classes.
Please let your physiotherapist know if you are seeing another practitioner for the same condition as this may affect treatment options.

Our team

If you would prefer to be seen by a therapist of the same sex, please inform us.

What is physiotherapy?

Chartered Physiotherapists treat a wide range of medical conditions and injuries. The aim is to restore function, activity and independence and to prevent further injury / illness. To enable you to manage your condition successfully your work, leisure activities and lifestyle will be discussed. You may be requested to undertake an appropriate programme of home exercises which form an integral part of the rehabilitation process.

Attendance

Please notify the department before your appointment if you are unable to attend, giving as much notice as
possible. It is important that you do this regardless of whether it is a virtual appointment, or face to face.

If you do not attend your appointment and fail to contact us within one week, you will be discharged from our service. If you are unable to attend more than two appointments during one course of treatment, without providing more than 48 hours notice, you will automatically be discharged from our service.

Virtual Appointments

When you book your initial appointment you can choose to have either a telephone call or a video call.

Telephone Calls

will be from a withheld number. You will be given a specific time for your appointment and it is important that you are in an appropriate place to take the call. You may be asked to do some physical tests over the phone.

Video Calls

will take place on the NHS platform, Attend Anywhere, which can be accessed via a smart phone, tablet or computer. If you choose to use Attend Anywhere, the admin team will send you a link and the instructions to access the virtual waiting room, when you book your appointment. The Physiotherapist will expect to see you in the waiting room at your appointment time, if you are not there, they will try and call you to help you with any technical difficulties. If further treatment is required, this is likely to continue virtually. However, if your Physiotherapist feels that a face to face appointment is needed, then they will discuss this with you.

Consent

A member of the physiotherapy team will ask for your consent prior to any examination or treatment procedures. Please be aware that this is entirely at your discretion and you are always free to say no or request further information before you make up your mind. You may be asked to sign a consent form for certain treatments.

Clothing

You may need to undress for your examination. For your comfort please wear appropriate clothing (e.g. shorts, loose fitting skirt). As part of the examination the therapist is likely to need to touch relevant areas of your body.

Hospital transport

Telephone: 03001 239840 Transport can only be provided on the basis of medical need. Please ensure you are ready 1.5 hours before your assessment time. There may be a delay in taking you home following your appointment. Please contact the Physiotherapy department on 01737 231688 if you have not been collected by your appointment time.

Chaperones

You or your physiotherapist may ask for a chaperone to be present during your session.

Parking

Please allow plenty of time for parking as space can be limited at times. There is a charge for car parking at East Surrey
Hospital.

Special needs

We can provide help for anyone attending the Physiotherapy Department with special needs, (e.g. wheelchair users, deafness, visual disability, non-English speaking). If you think you may require assistance with this, please contact the Physiotherapy Department on 01737 231688.

Booking your assessment

To book your assessment telephone 01737 768511 and enter ext. 6264. Please do not use the hospital automated fast dial, as this will take you through to physiotherapy reception who are unable to make initial appointments The telephone line can be busy at peak times. If your call is not answered, please call again at a different time.

Booking lines are open:

Monday 08.30-12.30 and 17.00-18.30
Tuesday 13.30-16.00
Wednesday 08.30-12.30
Thursday 13.30-16.00
Friday 08.30-12.30
 

First Community provides front-line NHS community healthcare services in east Surrey and parts of West Sussex.

We provide first-rate care, through our first-rate people, offering first-rate value. For more information visit: www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk

If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us:

First Community (Head Office)

Call: 01737 775450 Email: fchc.enquiries@nhs.net Text: 07814 639034

Address: First Community Health and Care, Orchard House, Unit 8a, Orchard Business Centre, Bonehurst Road, Redhill RH1 5EL

To print this page, please select accessibility tools and the print this page icon. 

For office use: Version 3  Publication date: March 2021