A one-stop-shop physiotherapy clinic is helping to slash waiting lists
A new Physiotherapy ‘One Stop Shop’ designed to provide tailored, on the spot treatment and advice for patients across the South Eastern Trust is helping to improve patient recovery and reduce waiting times.
More than 200 patients took part in the Trust’s first-ever Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy Community Appointment Day, held at Lisburn Primary and Community Care Centre.
The innovative initiative invited patients currently on Physiotherapy waiting lists, to attend a single appointment where they received a one-to-one assessment with a Physiotherapist, were signposted to relevant services, classes and information and supported to better manage their specific MSK condition.
The clinic enabled patients to access timely and effective Physiotherapy care on the day, rather than remaining on a waiting list.
Patient Margaret Brannigan shared how she has been living with Sciatica and how much she benefitted from her one-to-one with Physiotherapist Reuben McIlrath.
Margaret said: “I have had a real understanding about my condition from the Physiotherapist. It has been so beneficial to know that I am not alone, that I can get help and that I am not a lost cause.”
Margaret also praised the overall set up of the day, and added: “It has been great. I have been on the waiting list for Physiotherapy for a year and coming here has been so informative.
“I have been steered towards a class in the Leisure Centre which incorporates chair exercises. Coming today has been so helpful for me and I feel so much better.”
Another patient, Francis Gorman, who lives with Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), said his appointment helped him realise he could do more than he first thought.
Francis added: “Through the help of Physiotherapist, George McBride, I now know I can do more than I initially thought with my condition.
“George explained everything in terms of what is available to me. If someone is invited to attend the day, I would definitely advise them to come along. I am going to sign up for a Pilates class and the experience has turned out even better than I expected.”
South Eastern Trust, Physiotherapy Project Lead for Community Appointment Days, Nikki Scott said: “This new initiative invites patients from our waiting lists with Musculoskeletal pain to come to find out what matters most to them and to meet them to see where they are at.
“We are offering a wide range of services, including ‘What Matters to You?’ conversations with our Physiotherapists, one-to-one assessments, a rehabilitation area, as well as advice and guidance.
“We are also delighted to have many of our community sector partners involved.”
Nikki added: “We are really hoping that this initiative will make a holistic difference for patients. This Community Appointment Day is about seeing the person behind the patient and it is our aim that this makes an impact on our service and gives the patient what they need under one roof.
“Many of our patients have waited a long time for Physiotherapy. This approach allows us to see people sooner, provide meaningful support and ultimately help reduce our waiting lists.”
