Physio on NHS

calleyw

LondonDiva wrote: »

If you think you ned physio, make a n appt with your GP.

If your GP agrees, they should refer you - the wait can be as little as a couple of weeks to a few months depending on the area.

I can say definately, that you are referred for a course of treatment rather than an absolute number of sessions. If you need 2 or 29 sessions in the physio's opinion, that's what you'll get.

Sorry I don't agree with that in your area it might be but not where I live. My husband had a stroke and was referred for 6 sessions which is what he got.

And with out being to rude it was waste of his time and energy. He was given exercises to do at home which he was doing anyway. He got his consultant to refer him again thinking he might get something better and was told it was going to be 6 session the same as before. He declined them.

I personally would say that he needs ongoing physio but he ain't getting it and his hand is still not functioning.

Yours


Calley

LondonDiva

Then in which case, I'd strongly reccomend that you go bnack and make a complaint.

If that's what happened in both instances, it was wrong and I'm surprised the GPs didn't say or do something about it.

calleyw

LondonDiva wrote: »

Then in which case, I'd strongly reccomend that you go bnack and make a complaint.

If that's what happened in both instances, it was wrong and I'm surprised the GPs didn't say or do something about it.

No it is not wrong at all that is what the PCT/surgery offers. In case I did not make it very clear these session where after he came out of re-hab in hospital.

We can keep going back to be referred but what is the point when all they do is straighten your hand out and tell you to do that as often as possible and come back in a few weeks.

Not worth my husbands time. He does not need to be told by some who is suppose to be qualified how to straighten out his hand. He needs more intensive physio than that. Our local PCT does not offer that even though we have asked for it.

Yours

Calley

JennyW_2

angel wrote: »

I was referred for physio on my bad back over two years ago, I'm still waiting.

my brother has been referred by his GP and still waiting for his 1st appointment to come through.

Whenever I've needed physio I've just paid for it. More cost effective to get treatment asap and get the problem sorted rather than wait for weeks/months giving the injury even more time to set in. There is a good physio at the gym I go to (well osteopath). 3 sessions and I was sorted because it was nipped in the bud from the start.

Sparky67

First thing is to see your GP and see whether they consider physio will help. Depends on where you are, but it should be available but there will be a wait depending on how urgent your treatment is.

Do you have medical insurance (eg HSA) as they will pay part of physio treatment (check your policy).

I have needed physio in the past and have always just paid privately. It was about £35 a session.

flugellover

For the OP - yes there is free physio on the NHS, and dependant on the urgency of your problem you may or may not have to wait to get an appointment. Sadly (IMHO) some places will limit your number of visits, although I STRONGLY dissagree with this practice, and if it was me I would DEFINATELY complain about this (if you have not written to your local NHS trust calleyw please do!) . It is ridiculous to presume that everyone with every presenting condition would be better within 6 appointments - I imagine that that approach is made by managers who are being hassled about the length of their waiting lists - and dare I say it - are not strong enough to defend the physio's personal judgement to their line managers.
As you might guess....I was a practicing physio in the NHS before moving jobs to health promotion. I loved the job, but hated the politics that restricted our practice. Physio's have the potential to do such great work, but private physio charging sky high fee's and ridiculous waiting lists on the NHS just undermine the publics confidence
rant over hope some of that was helpful