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Home > Services > Physiotherapy Services > Inpatients > Inpatient Physio FAQ's Inpatient Physio FAQ's |
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Select an FAQ from the drop down list below:
1. What physiotherapy services should an inpatient expect? All inpatients who are based on wards are assessed on the first full working day (Monday to Friday) after their admission. If a new patient requires assessment and treatment before this (ie over the weekend), a nurse can contact an on-call physiotherapist between 0830 and 1630 (a doctor can contact the physiotherapist outside these hours).
2. Which departments and wards of the hospital have physiotherapy services? Patients who are staying in any area of the Hospital can have access to physiotherapy services, depending on their individual needs. Physiotherapy staff work in all areas of the hospital and teams of staff are based in the following departments:
3. What do the physiotherapists do in A&E at Addenbrooke's? Patients often attend A&E after falls or other trauma, which can result in broken bones, strains and bruising. The physiotherapists who are based in the Orthopaedic Department (who deal with bone, joints and muscles) provide a 'rapid response' service for patients who attend A&E. Patients who have only minor injuries that affect their mobility and safety in the home are given advice, exercises and any appropriate mobility aids. The aim is to enable them to make a fast and safe recovery at home and/or work. Patients who have more extensive injuries will be treated in the appropriate medical or surgical departments and might subsequently receive inpatient or outpatient physiotherapy services.
4. What do the physiotherapists based in the Department of Medicine for the elderly do? Physiotherapists who are based in the Care of the Elderly Department provide services for inpatients who have a variety of medical conditions including cardiac, respiratory musculoskeletal and neurological complaints. Every patient who is admitted to the Care of the Elderly medical wards is carefully assessed by a physiotherapist, and any treatment is then tailored to the patient's needs. The focus of physiotherapy rehabilitation is to increase the functional independence of patients. The Care of the Elderly Physiotherapy Team runs a daily group exercise class in the gym. They also have strong links with physiotherapists based in the local community, which ensures that adequate follow-up is provided to the patient after the patient leaves hospital.
5. What physiotherapy services are provided at Addenbrooke's for amputees? In the Rehabilitation Clinic, there are two physiotherapists who treat only amputees. They work closely with the vascular and orthopaedic surgeons, providing an assessment before any relevant operations, providing care immediately after operations and further follow up. As an outpatient service, they provide general physiotherapy services to improve mobility and help patients use any prostheses (artificial limbs).
6. What do the physiotherapists based in General Medicine do? The physiotherapists based in the General Medicine Unit treat patients who have a variety of medical conditions including those under the care of the departments of Cardiology (heart function), Endocrinology (hormones), Gastroenterology (including stomach and bowels), General Medicine, Haematology (blood disorders), Hepatology (liver conditions), Oncology (cancer), Renal (kidney) and Respiratory Medicine (breathing).
7. What physiotherapy services are available at Addenbrooke's for pregnant women? A comprehensive inpatient and outpatient physiotherapy service is provided at the Rosie Hospital for pregnant women. Physiotherapists can work with women before and/or after the birth, depending on their needs. For example, some women have back pain or mobility problems before and/or after birth. Some women will need exercise advice or physiotherapy treatment after the birth. Treatment will be offered to women after a Caesarean section, ventouse or forceps delivery, or for other problems that can arise after birth.
8. What do physiotherapists based in the Gynaecology Department do? The physiotherapists based in the Gynaecology Department assess and treat patients undergoing major gynaecological surgery and breast surgery. Treatment can include advice on exercising the pelvic floor muscles and the abdominal muscles. For women who have had breast surgery, the physiotherapists can also give advice and prescribe shoulder exercises. A follow up in the Outpatients Clinic is available, if required.
9. What does physiotherapy in 'Women's Health' involve? Physiotherapists assess women who have bladder and bowel incontinence. They offer advice and treatment to improve symptoms, which can include pelvic floor exercises, biofeedback and neuromuscular stimulation therapy.
10. What do the physiotherapists based in Neurosciences do? The Neurosciences Unit provides acute neurosurgical services for all of East Anglia and other counties. A highly specialised physiotherapy service is provided to those patients who are based in the neurosurgical, neurological or neuro-oncology wards. The team aims to provide effective and efficient treatment using evidence-based practice in order to optimise and improve the patient's independence. Advice and education is also given to patients and their carers and/or families as part of our philosophy.
11. What do the physiotherapists based in the Neuroscience Critical Care Unit (NCCU) do? NCCU is the intensive care facility at Addenbrooke's for patients who have acute and serious neurological problems including strokes and head and/or brain injury. The physiotherapists who are based in the NCCU aim to improve respiratory (breathing) function and promote the early rehabilitation of patients.
12. What do the physiotherapists based in the Orthopaedic Department do? The Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Team is situated on Level 8 in the Trauma and Orthopaedic unit. All patients who are admitted to the Orthopaedic Unit will be seen by a physiotherapist, according to their needs. Treatment usually consists of assessment, exercises and walking practice. Inpatients are often recovering from broken bones, other trauma and operations to replace joints (eg hip replacements). Children with these problem are seen by physiotherapists based in the Paediatric Orthopaedic Unit. We aim to assess these children within 24 hours of admission to hospital, and the physiotherapist also attends their Outpatient clinic at the same time as the patient sees the doctor.
13. What do the physiotherapists based in the Rheumatology Department do? The Rheumatology Department cares for patients with a wide range of rheumatic/inflammatory diseases and conditions (not just rheumatoid arthritis). The Rheumatology Physiotherapy Team is based on the Planned Short Stay Unit (PSSU). In this team, physiotherapists assess all inpatients and offer them advice on the management of their condition and treatment. Treatment often involves exercise programmes, including hydrotherapy (exercise in water) if appropriate.
14. What does the Surgery and Paediatric Physiotherapy team do? The Physiotherapy service for Surgery and Paediatrics provides physiotherapy services to inpatients of the surgical and paediatric units at Addenbrooke's. Patients are assessed by a physiotherapist when they are admitted to the ward and again when they are referred to other services. For example these patients can have respiratory (breathing) and motor (movement) problems, which can be helped by physiotherapy. Specialised respiratory techniques are used to help patients maintain and/or improve their breathing, which can prevent chest complications such as infections. Exercises are used to maximise mobility and help the patient regain their independence. Appropriate walking aids (such as crutches) can be provided, and instructions in their use given. We stop providing services only when we consider that the patient has reached their maximum recovery or when treatment is no longer indicated.
15. What is the role of physiotherapy on the Lewin Stroke and Rehabilitation Unit? The Lewin Stroke and Rehabilitation Unit was officially opened in October 2000. It has 20 beds for acute stroke patients and 10 beds for rehabilitation. It is, therefore, for patients who are recovering from stroke or for those who require on-going rehabilitation after traumas such as neurological events, head injuries and accidents. Physiotherapists based in this Unit provide an effective and intensive physiotherapy service to maximise the recovery and independence of these patients.
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Last updated: 29 October, 2007
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