Outpatient Physiotherapy & Hand Therapy Service

The adult outpatient physiotherapy and hand therapy department provides patients with a high quality, effective and patient centred service for conditions that affect your spine, bones, joints muscles, tendons, nerves and surrounding tissues that move the body.

The team consists of highly-trained professionals, whose skills complement each other and help to ensure that we can offer a comprehensive service.

The service helps people of all ages affected by pain, injury and disability to get moving and improve their activities of daily living both at home, at work or in sports. We aim to help you find ways to manage your symptoms to facilitate recovery and promote independent and healthier lifestyle. At core of our treatment is patient’s involvement in their own care. Exercise is a key part of treatment and helps reduce stiffness, improve flexibility in your joints and muscles and if done regularly will help long term improvements in your condition.

Outpatient Physiotherapy Service:
The outpatient physiotherapy service offers individual and group based appointments to help promote physical independence by enhancing function, encouraging individuals to assume responsibility for their health and well-being.

Conditions we treat:
· Strains and sprains
· Post-operative and post-fracture rehabilitation
· Sports injuries
· Chronic pain conditions

Physiotherapy Pain Management Service:
BeST (Back Skills Training) Programme – A specialised 6 week group programme designed by Oxford University.
· Patients over 18years of age
· Low back pain +/- leg pain of more than 6 weeks
The service currently accepts internal referrals only.

Chronic Pain Group Programme – for generalised widespread musculoskeletal pain conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The group accepts referrals from internal Rheumatology Consultants and the Pain Clinic.

Hand Therapy Service:
The hand therapy service provides specialist care for adults and children with both non-surgical and surgical conditions of the hand and forearm.
Our aim is to allow people to return to optimum function with their hand, wrist and arm within their own lives. As a patient, you’ll receive a tailored assessment and treatment session.
Working closely with plastic, orthopaedic and rheumatology consultants, your therapist will have a sound understanding of any surgical or medical procedures performed and the plan for your recovery.

Conditions suitable for hand therapy:
· Arthritis, fractures and soft tissue injuries of hand and wrist
· Neurological hand conditions, tendon and nerve repair/transfers
· Work related upper limb disorders

Treatments available:
· Custom-made splint fabrication
· Exercise Programmes and functional rehabilitation
· Wound care and Scar management
· Therapy classes

How to Access Outpatient Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy Service:
The team accepts referrals from:
· Local GP practices in Bedfordshire – under 18s only
· Local GP practices in Luton – under 16s only
· Selected clinicians working within the Luton & Dunstable Hospital

At your appointment
·       Check the location of the clinic your appointment is at.
·       Please arrive on time. If you are late, we may not be able to see you as this can cause delays for patients who have appointments after you.
·       You should be seen on time and not have to wait longer than 15 minutes.
·       Individual appointments will last for up to 30mins.
·       The physiotherapist may carry out a physical examination, so wear suitable underwear. You may wish to bring a pair of shorts.
·       You will be asked to complete questionnaires which help us to monitor our service and make improvements.
·       The therapist will discuss with you the best way to manage your problem.

 Treatment programmes –
1)     A course of individual therapy
2)     Group based exercise classes
3)     Referral to our Pain Management Service for management of chronic persistent pain

The emphasis of all our programmes is on self-management and control of symptoms – this approach will allow you to work purposefully on your health and fitness.

We want you to get the best result from treatment for your condition. You can do this by attending all appointments and by following the instructions for any therapies and exercises recommended to be carried out at home.

Cancelling or changing an appointment:
·       Please call us at least 48hours in advance if you need to cancel or change your appointment.
·       You can call us on the numbers above or email us on OTphysioCMSappointments@ldh.nhs.uk
·       Repeated cancellations will lead to you being discharged back to your referring doctor.

Failure to attend appointment:
·       The department has a strict policy on non-attendance.
·       Failure to attend an appointment will lead to an immediate discharge back to your referring doctor.