Physiotherapy Outpatient Musculoskeletal Service

Our physiotherapy outpatient’s service provides  holistic assessment and treatment for a range of conditions that cause pain, stiffness, pins and needles, weakness and or a variety of other symptoms affecting both joints, muscles and nerves.

We Treat:

• Joint aches and pains including osteoarthritis
• Spinal problems including back and neck pain
• Sporting related injuries or conditions
• Longer term pain-related conditions
• Rehabilitation following fracture or surgery

What to expect at your first appointment:

Due to the current corona virus pandemic measures, we are currently completing initial physiotherapy assessments either face to face or via telephone and/or video. If following the initial assessment the therapist feels it is necessary to continue treatment face to face an appointment can be arranged.

Face to face assessment

• If you develop any corona virus symptoms then please contact us via telephone to rearrange your appointment
• Please wait in your car until contacted by a therapist of whom will come and collect you from your car and show you to the assessment area
• Please wear a face covering
• Wash your hands prior to entering the cubicle
• The therapist will be wearing full PPE throughout your assessment

We receive referrals from GP’s, Consultants and other health professionals. We also have physiotherapists located in the majority of GP practices within the area. You can book directly with them by phoning each individual surgery. You can also self-refer through our self-referral paper work.

• If you live in the BA1 postcode area you can self-refer to the Royal United Hospital
• If you have a BA2 postcode and a BANES GP then you can self-refer to St Martin’s Hospital

Once we have received your referral we will prioritise it to assess how quickly we need to see you. We try to see everyone as soon as we can, however waitlist times can vary dependent on the time of the year.

If we need to see you quickly, you will be contacted by our central booking department, offering you an appointment within one to two weeks

If our admin team are unable to contact you via telephone to arrange an initial appointment, an appointment letter will be sent to you in the post.

Once an appointment has been arranged you may receive an automated text message reminding you to attend your appointment the day prior to your appointment.

If for any reason you do not attend your appointment and do not phone within 24 hours with a valid reason for not attending, you will be discharged.

Physiotherapy self-referral

LINK

Physiotherapy referral form for professionals

LINK

Please return it to us by:

Post: Keynsham Health Centre, St Clements Road, Keynsham, BS31 1AF

Email: vcl.bathnesphysio-outpts@nhs.net

https://www.oc-meridian.com/virgincare/completion/custom/default.aspx?slid=104&did=

Codes:

Paulton = B0047

St Martins = B0045

Keynsham = B00153

Pain clinic = B0138

OA pathway = B0221

Coming soon

ESCAPE-pain stands for Enabling Self-management and Coping with Arthritic Pain using Exercise. It is an evidence-based, cost effective, group rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain, that integrates educational self-management and coping strategies with an exercise regimen individualised for each participant.  https://escape-pain.org/

Helpful link

• https://www.versusarthritis.org/
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/
• https://www.arthritisaction.org.uk/
• https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/arthritis/
• https://www.arthritis.org/

For helpful advice, tips and tools to help you with your health and wellbeing visit NHS Live Well: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/

For mental health support visit NHS talking therapies: – https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/

For local events and classes please look at our helpful boards or speak to our physiotherapist within the department to give you advice on any opportunities within your local area

Useful resources:

• https://weareundefeatable.co.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/

Pain is complex and sometimes it continues for months and possibly years. Sometimes medications and surgeries do not successfully reduce pain. Sometimes we must learn strategies to live well with pain and this is where the community pain service can be useful. It takes a holistic (meaning whole person) view of the pain problem and then can work with you to improve your physical function, your sleep quality, how you management stress and mood, and help overall quality of life.

Don’t take our word for it, check out the Flippin’ Pain website https://www.flippinpain.co.uk

And this leaflet from other people with pain here.

The Honest Physiotherapy Pain Management Guidebook is a very good read on the approach we take – https://thehonestphysiocom.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/pain-management-guide-book-v1.02.pdf

HCRGCaregroup pain management leaflet –

Your GP or orthopaedic interface service can refer you to the community pain service.

The orthopaedic interface service (OIS) provides assessment and diagnosis of musculoskeletal pain problems. It is staffed by highly experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapists and podiatrists who will take your history, examine you physically (as required) and arrange any further investigations if these are indicated. The OIS service works closely with orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, and other consultants.

The service can be accessed following a referral from a GP or physiotherapist.

• We are able to assess and treat children from the age of 12 years old. We would prefer for children to attend any appointment with a parent or guardian.
• We do not accept self-referrals for children under the age of 16 years old
• If you require a chaperone for your physiotherapy appointment, please contact our admin department prior to your appointment.

Our physiotherapy service is located in 3 areas across BANES

• St Martins Hospital
• Paulton Memorial Hospital
• Kenysham Community Health Centre

Tel: 03002470063

Email: vcl.bathnesphysio-outpts@nhs.net