Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists combine their knowledge, skills and approach to improve a broad range of physical problems associated with different ‘systems’ of the body.

Physiotherapy is concerned with identifying and maximising quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/intervention, and rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy techniques and approaches can improve a person’s ability to use parts of their body that are affected by a health condition or injury.

For example, arthritis is a chronic condition that causes painful, stiff joints and is often associated with ageing. Physiotherapists can help to keep the joints mobile and strengthen the surrounding muscles.

NNUH Physiotherapy Department Contact details

In-patient Physiotherapy queries

01603 289469

Paediatric In patient queries

01603 286333

People aged 16 or under will need to be accompanied by an adult. Please note only those with parental responsibility can consent to treatment for a child/young person.

New patient appointments (If you have been referred in to the service)

01603 289290

01603 289467

Follow-up appointments

Email: patientmessages@nnuh.nhs.uk

Adult follow-up appointments: 01603 286990

Pelvic and Maternal Health appointments: 01603 286994

Paediatric follow-up appointments: 01603 286333

To self-refer for Physiotherapy in pregnancy or up to 3 months postnatally or 1 year postnatally for issues with pelvic floor / continence only.

01603 287130

If you reach a voicemail, please leave a message and a member of the team will get back to you.

Out-Patient appointments – What to expect

Your out-patient appointment may be face to face or virtual.

• The Physiotherapy Department is located at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY.
• There are regular bus services to the hospital and buses stop outside the Outpatient Departments.
• If you come by car, park in one of the Outpatient car parks.
• Enter the hospital at Outpatients East. You will enter the hospital on Level 2.

Wheelchairs  are available just outside Outpatients East and West if you require these.

Please report to the reception desk on arrival.

We run an ordered appointment system and you should expect to be seen at or very shortly after your appointment time.

If you are kept waiting more than 15 minutes for your appointment, please let one of the reception staff know.

Assessment and Treatment

When you attend the department you will receive a full and comprehensive assessment by a member of our highly skilled team. Questions will be asked by the physiotherapist to allow them to understand your condition, along with general medical questions (Please bring a list of all medication you are on to help us with our assessment).

A thorough physical examination will follow this where a series of tests will be carried out to find the cause of your condition. We do need to be able to see the area that is causing you a problem, so you will probably be asked to undress down to your underwear, (you may bring shorts to wear if you prefer.)

The findings of both the subjective and physical examinations will then be discussed with you and a treatment plan decided.

Under 15 years

People aged 15 or under will need to be accompanied by an adult. Please note only the next of kin can consent to treatment for a child/young person.

Unable to attend

Please let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment. Appointments are in great demand and we may be able to offer the time to another person.

Missed appointments

If you fail to attend your appointment and do not contact us you will be discharged back to the care of your GP.

If you cancel or fail to attend 2 consecutive appointments you will be discharged.

Pacemaker or spinal stimulator

If you have a pacemaker, spinal stimulator or similar device, please make the staff aware before entering the department. The nature of the machines used in the department may affect the working of your device.

Interpreter

If you require someone to interpret  for you please let us know in advance of your first appointment.

Feedback

We are continually trying to improve the physiotherapy service and we welcome your comments. You will find a questionnaire in the department and we would be grateful if you will fill one in to let us know how we are doing.

Assistance Dog Guidelines in Occupational Therapy Outpatients

For you to gain maximum benefit from your appointment, and to ensure the safety of everyone in the department, we would like to advise you that we have the following expectations of your highly trained assistance dog.

Your dog:

• Behaves well in public.
• Wears a recognisable harness.
• Has a reliable and safe temperament and does not jump up, bark or growl at staff or other visitors.
• Is healthy and fully vaccinated.
• Is fully toilet trained and not a hygiene risk.
• Does not demonstrate any aggressive behaviour.

If your dog is under a year old and still being trained, please consider whether they are ready to attend an appointment at a busy hospital and comply with the above expectations. You are also welcome to bring a chaperone to your appointment as an alternative to your assistance dog if you think your dog may not be ready to attend with you.

Please remember you are responsible for your dog, how it behaves and the consequences of any unwanted behaviour it might display while it is on the hospital premises.

How to find us

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