Physiotherapy helps people of all ages with a disability, illness or injury. Physiotherapy can improve physical problems including loss of strength, movement and function. Physiotherapists work with babies, children and people of all ages and abilities to prevent illness or recover from injury helping people to be as active and independent as possible.
Physiotherapists working in South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT) are Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) who work closely with other AHPs, nursing, social work and medical colleagues to provide the best care for every patient. Physiotherapy offers a range of interventions, services and advice to prevent illness & injury and improve individuals’ health and wellbeing.
Physiotherapists in SEHSCT provide a range of services in acute inpatient settings; outpatient clinics; in the community and in a person’s home.
For Adult Musculoskeletal Outpatient Self-Refer here.
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Accessing Physiotherapy
Accessing Physiotherapy Services in the South Eastern Trust
Physiotherapy services are provided throughout the South Eastern Trust; you can access outpatient physiotherapy through a referral made by your GP, Consultant or appropriate AHP , social work or nurse practitioner
- All Physiotherapy outpatient referrals are sent to the AHP Central booking office (CBO)
- Referrals received by central booking are then triaged by physiotherapy staff onto urgent and routine waiting lists
- You will receive a letter asking you to contact CBO to book an appointment
- Referrals requiring Urgent assessment should be contacted within 10 working days
- Non Urgent referrals should be assessed within 13 weeks
All initial referrals to the Community Respiratory Service, for patients with a diagnosed respiratory condition, are made via a health care professional by contacting Primary Care Connect on (028) 9598 8000. These referrals will then be triaged, An urgent referral will be seen within 48 hours and a routine referral should be seen within 2 weeks.
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Self- Referral
What is self-referral?
Self-referral is a direct route to physiotherapy for those within the South Eastern Trust. It allows you to refer yourself to physiotherapy for assessment & treatment without having to see or be prompted by another healthcare practitioner.
Who can self-refer?
If you reside in the South Eastern trust area, are over 16 and are suffering from e.g. low back pain, neck pain, or recent injuries such as strains and sprains or joint or muscular pain self-referral physiotherapy is for you.
You should continue to consult your GP or hospital doctor if you are under 16 years, if you have a neurological, paediatric, respiratory, obstetric or gynaecological problem, or if you are under the care of a consultant for this problem.
How can I self-refer?
You can Self- Refer by submitting and online form before in the ‘Self- Referral Form’ section or alternatively printable versions of the Self-referral form can be downloaded here.
Paper copies are also available in your GP practice, or all South Eastern Trust Physiotherapy Departments. The form can be completed and posted to:
Central Booking Office
1st floor Main Building
Downshire Estate
Ardglass Road
Downpatrick
BT30 6RLOr email the form to: AHP.centralbookingoffice@setrust.hscni.net
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Self-Referral Form
Self-referral is available for adults over 16 who need support and advice to manage symptoms related to muscle strains/joint sprains/back and neck pain.
This referral option is not available if you are under the care of a consultant for this problem, or if you have neurological/respiratory/continence conditions. If you have Pregnancy related pain, please ask your GP/Midwife to refer you to the Pelvic Health/ Women’s Health Physiotherapy Service who do not currently accept self-referrals.
Physiotherapy Referral Form
While you are waiting if you are concerned that your condition is worsening please seek medical advice.
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Inpatient Care
- Respiratory – acute respiratory
- Neurology – rehabilitation of acute neurological conditions including stroke
- Intensive care and rehabilitation
- Trauma and Orthopaedics
- Post-operative rehabilitation
- Oncology and palliative care
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Community Care
- Respiratory care- Oxygen Service, Bronchiectasis service, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, dysfunctional breathing service
- Community assessment and treatment and rehabilitation of children and adults with a wide range of neurological, physical and learning disabilities
- Oncology and palliative care
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Outpatient Care
- Musculoskeletal physiotherapy outpatient clinics providing assessment, diagnostic advice, education and treatment services for patients with back and neck pain, shoulder, knee or hip pain, strains and sprains, sports injuries
- Rheumatology service
- Post-operative rehabilitation
- Hand Therapy and plastic surgery rehabilitation
- Chronic pain rehabilitation
- Trauma and orthopaedic outpatient rehabilitation
- Paediatric musculoskeletal conditions
- Rehabilitation exercise classes
- Pelvic health – obstetric advice and classes, gynaecological diagnostics and treatment for Pelvic Pain
- Male and female continence and prolapse rehabilitation
- Neurology rehabilitation
- Falls rehabilitation, strength and balance classes
- Respiratory outpatient clinics and rehabilitation classes
- Lymphoedema management
- Exercise in water classes
- Child Development clinics and paediatric outpatient clinics
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Appointment Information
What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable shoes or trainers and bring appropriate clothing such as shorts or a vest-top or T-Shirt so that your condition can be properly assessed by your Physiotherapist
How long will the assessment take?
This varies but usually between 30 – 45 minutes.
If you do not attend the appointment you have agreed and fail to contact us within 24 hours you will be discharged from the service. The outcome of all Physiotherapy Assessments and treatments will be forwarded to your GP.
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Useful Links
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapy: Your health provides advice on common musculoskeletal conditions, exercises and how to stay healthy and active.
- Arthritis Research UK: Arthritis Research UK offers a range of advice and support for people living with all forms of arthritis.
- Musculoskeletal Self-help app from NHS Scotland: http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/msk
- NHS Choices: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions
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Out of Hours Times & Information
Outside of usual outpatient service times and on Bank Holidays, the physiotherapy service provides an emergency respiratory on call service for in patients in all acute hospital sites trust wide.
Contact is restricted to hospital staff and can be made through the Trust switchboard Tel: (028) 9048 4511